I am Regine Nequia and I am one of the members of Baseco Block 7 Community Organization or B7COM. I am also one of the leaders of the Baseco Seaside Neighborhood Association or BASA.
I was lucky to be among the selected few who were able to participate in the training-workshop for leaders of B7COM and BASA in January 2020. The event organized by Lingap Pangkabataan Inc. (LPI) and by Urban Poor Associates was conducted in San Mateo, Rizal.
The three-day training-seminar was extremely fun. All topics were very timely. They were so relevant that we could almost picture our community the speakers were discussing their inputs. In addition, all facilitators were cheerful and approachable that participants lowered their guards and actively participated in all workshops.
My favorite activity was when we were on blindfold. The facilitators took us to an unfamiliar place where we were told to look for a door or exit without taking off our blindfold. Needless to say, we could not find the door.
At first, I kept quiet and focused on feeling my way while trying to adapt to my surroundings.
On the contrary, my colleagues were so noisy and apparently confused that I could not decide to whom I will listen. I began to get annoyed. We were like headless chickens running around without knowing where we’re going. I started to doubt if there’s a door in the first place.
Then we finally found an exit and our misery ended. This activity taught us to learn to speak, shout, be involved, intervene, and get involved in the things that are going around us. We learned to use our voices to defend ourselves and the things we value.
It was a simple activity but it had a huge impact on me. I realized that the youth should raise their consciousness on the goings-on in the community.
Overall, this seminar helped me tremendously as a community leader. I became more confident in dealing with situations and things that I used to fear. I also had a solid foundation of what I really want—a better community where a nice and decent home for my family and my son is located. Where we feel safe.
I want to share to my colleagues and members of our organization that poverty should not hinder us in pursuing our dreams of a better future.