Upholding Children’s Rights Together at the Time of Pandemic By Lorenz David Amoroso
Every November since 2017, the Shelter Park Youth and Children’s Organization (SPYCO) has been celebrating the Children’s Month. We prepare food and prizes for winning game participants that undoubtedly bring joy and good cheers to children. Every time this annual event is held, children can feel their being children, and that they are a part of SPYCO. This is a very important objective of the occasion – children are able to showcase their talents and skills.
This is a fulfillment of the teachings of our Lord Jesus to let the children come to Him because the Kingdom of God belongs to them.
Previous Children’s Month celebrations were held successfully (they are always well-participated by children and adults alike) with the help of Shelter Park parents. They always bring smiles to the faces and joy to the hearts of community members. The 2020 celebration was different since most activities happened online. There was no face-to-face interaction, no dancing, and no gathering. That was something we are so unused to. We know, however, that the opportunity to celebrate in spite of the pandemic manifests the boundless energy of children to sustain its many advocacies, foremost of which is to educate children on their rights and ensure their protection.
Among the highlights of our celebration this year is the poster-making contest based on the 2020 National Children’s Month theme, “Sama-sama Nating Itaguyod ang Karapatan ng Bawat Bata sa Panahon ng Pandemya” or “Upholding Children’s Rights Together at the Time of Pandemic.”
This activity forged stronger relations between our organization and the local barangay government as they actively participated in this undertaking through close coordination by our local community facilitator. With the barangay LGU on board, the whole community was further encouraged to participate.
Preparations started in early November with the guidance of Lingap Pangkabataan Inc. (LPI). Community mobilizations were undertaken thereafter to raise support for materials and supplies needed for the celebration. With the help of our parents, we were able to produce 500 Advocacy Masks, while the Episcopal Diocese of Central Philippines (EDCP), LPI, and other parents from the community helped print tarpaulins and stickers.
All these were distributed in the whole community. Our barangay council and Caloocan City government officials provided prizes that the winners of poster-making contest can use for their online classes, such as smartphones and various school supplies.
The organizers expressed their gratitude to institutions and the local government units that have been supporting children during this most vulnerable period. They said the support further fueled SPYCO to sustain and further improve its services.
“You (partners and LGUs) give us the strength, the courage, hone our skills and impart valuable lessons more than enough to empower us to serve our neighbors and fellow children,” one of the organizers said.