Forty (40) children- and young adolescents-beneficiaries of the Sama Bajau Education Support Project (SBESP) participated in the Kabataan Karapatan Caravan of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Zamboanga City. The activity is part of the children’s month celebration in the Philippines with this year’s theme Sama-samang Itaguyod Ang Karapatan ng Bawat Bata sa Panahon ng Pandemya!
The participants simultaneously watched a lecture video of CHR which aimed to raise children’s awareness on their rights and responsibilities. Afterward, they were asked to draw a community conducive for children to live in.
Sama Bajau children watch the lecture video on children’s rights provided by the Commission on Human Rights.
Most of the participants drew children freely playing outside. They also illustrated children having the opportunity to study, which they deemed very important. Lastly, there are sketches of children helping their parents with household chores.
After the activity, the children raised some recommendations to the government, especially on addressing issues on access to services of Sama Bajaus and other Indigenous Peoples (IPs) in the country. Some of their insights were to give more education and employment opportunities to IPs and to keep communities and children safe from crimes.
A Sama Bajau participant receives school supplies from CHR after joining the caravan.
The 40 Sama Bajau participants are learner-beneficiaries of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) of SBESP. The project is implemented by the Community and Family Services International (CFSI) with funding support from the EDUCO Philippines. This intervention aims to provide greater opportunities for Sama Bajau adolescent children and young adults, through access to education and increased employment opportunities. #