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Wednesday, July 13, 2005
Foundation taps idle youths in reproductive health care
Oout-of-school Youths (OSY) may be considered a liability, but some nongovernment groups have thought of a way to use their talent.
Aside from their growing number, most OSY engage in risk behaviors and have the tendency to start a family early, but the Remedios AIDS Foundation (RAF) Inc., NGO Cebu City United Vendors Association (CCUVA) and the Population Commission (PopCom 7) are moving to make them at par with in-school youths.
RAF launched yesterday the community-based youth empowerment to develop Adolescent Reproductive Health (ARH) advocates among “idle youths,” through its relegated project implementer Youth Zone.
25 youths
The project aims to train 25 OSYs from seven barangays in education, information dissemination and direct clinical services for the youth in their designated area, in relation to Reproductive Health.
The chosen barangays are Luz, Camputhaw, Ermita, Kamagayan, Labangon, Pasil and San Nicholas.
Recipients of the program will also be trained as radio anchors of an ARH radio station.
Representatives from the barangays thanked RAF and its partners for employing their talents.
Survey
Based on a 2000 survey, more than half of the adolescents are idle and the number seems to be increasing by the year.
Aside from the reproductive health issue, PopCom is also concerned about the growing unemployment number of the OSYs.
PopCom 7 Regional Director Leo Rama attributes the problem to companies wary that OSYs do not have the necessary skills to be employed.
He will tap agencies like Dole, Tesda and private firms to aid the OSYs in skills development so they may also be able to compete in employment opportunities.
RAF Executive Director Dr. Jose Sescon said the main intent of the program is to produce, in five years, “adolescent leaders who will fight for their right and end the perception that they are happy-go-lucky.” (JGA)
(July 13, 2005 issue)
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