In a remote corner of Benguet province, Sinipsip in the town of Bakun is affectionately dubbed a “freezer” by Rev. Melvin Aquino, the Assistant General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Church of the Philippines Inc. Owing to its near-freezing temperature, the Wesleyan Church and School in Sinipsip became a temporary home for Lingap Pangkabataan Inc. (LPI) members and local church leaders from March 2 to 5, 2020.
But this wasn’t a leisurely getaway. Instead, the group delved into critical discussions on child rights and protection, laying the foundation for the Child-focused Church and Community Mobilization (CCM) programming. Reverend Aquino, recognizing the need to address child-focused development programming within the Wesleyan Church, invited LPI in 2019 to facilitate the training workshop.
A training needs analysis revealed that most church participants were already familiar with the basics of child rights, but they were eager to strengthen their knowledge and transition into a more responsive child ministry.
On March 2, Reverend Aquino drove the LPI team to Baguio City, taking a route less traveled for a scenic four-hour journey. The picturesque countryside offered a refreshing escape from the bustling cityscape.
Further venturing into the mountains, the temperature dropped to a chilly 9 degrees Celsius, reaching the Wesleyan Church and School Compound. The tranquil and beautiful surroundings greeted the LPI team, as they met a few students who called the compound their weekday home. The Wesleyan Church’s dedication to these children left a lasting impression on the Lingap team, feeling privileged to be part of their journey.
The training commenced the following day, and though a brief power outage hindered the use of projectors and laptops, the group improvised and adjusted the training design to ensure a seamless session.
Over the two-day training, participants deepened their understanding of child rights and protection. They gained essential skills to facilitate child rights and protection orientation-sessions and learned the standard reporting and referral processes for children experiencing abuse.
The participants found the topics engaging, informative, and empowering. They praised the creative and enjoyable methodology that kept them engaged throughout the workshop.
Realizing the significance of advancing child rights and protection, the local church management established an ad hoc group to develop recommendations that prioritize child well-being in the ministry of local churches.
In the chilly mountains of Benguet, a warm and powerful commitment to child-focused development was ignited, thanks to the collaboration between Lingap Pangkabataan Inc. and the Wesleyan Church. Together, they embark on a journey to empower children and create nurturing communities where every child’s rights are protected and celebrated.