THE City Government of Cagayan de Oro is targeting another 58 children at risk and in conflict with the law to be put under its Lamdag educational program.
The Lamdag (Visayan word meaning "to guide") program, which started last summer, is an offshoot of a similar educational program called Acceptance of Children Towards Transformation launched last January 2018 with Xavier University.
Lamdag educational program is aimed at keeping children off the streets and into books and schools.
At present, there are already 58 kids under the said program.
According to Norhidaya Hadji Sarip, After Care Section head of the City Social Welfare Office, the program has produced positive results, with most of the children expressed the desire and motivation to continue their schooling.
“In fact, two of the children voiced their desire to continue their schooling as a result of the Lamdag program and we are coordinating with the offices concerned to facilitate their application for the city's scholarship program,” Sarip said.
The first batch of street children, which came from Barangays Carmen, Lumbia, Consolacion, Macasandig and Nazareth, was housed at the nearby Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) building.
The kids were taught math and reading skills by student volunteers who are graduating students of Xavier University's College of Education.
“The City Social Welfare Office conducts monthly follow-ups and refresher classes for our [beneficiaries]. Through education, we hope that the Lamdag program will transform their lives and encourage them to stay in school rather than wander in the streets,” Sarip said.