Good Neighbors International Philippines (GNIP) was recognized in the 4th Gawad Samabaralan (Sama na sa Pambayang Kaunlaran) of the Bulacan State Univerisity. This award acknowledges the steadfast commitment and compassion of the GNIP Bulacan Field Office in providing services to communities despite the challenges brought about COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters.
Eleine Reyes is a 19-year-old resident from Pugad Tibaguin CDP and a former sponsored child and child rights club president of Good Neighbors International Philippines. She is being raised in a family that everything is enough to survive and support their daily needs. Her father is a fisherman and her mother is a housewife.
Krisselle Atienza, 31, was 8 together with her brother when they started selling dried fish to their community in Hagonoy, Bulacan. She worked hard to earn income for her family. Supporting her parents and three siblings compelled her to stop schooling and find jobs.
Her father is a hardworking fisherman. This serves as their source of income and was able to sustain their daily needs. Her father always did his very best to support the family.
Strengthening Child Protection System in the barangays is one of the steps towards developing and contributing to their full potential. Barangays of the communities are the first ones that a child connects with, besides their family. Thus, it plays a vital role in the empowerment and fulfillment of children’s rights.
Her dream is to become a successful chef. And given the opportunity to make her dream into reality, she will also be able to fulfill her dream of providing a comfortable life for her family which is one of the major reasons why she is pursuing to finish her education while working.
We, ask her, what can she do to help end child labor, and here are her thoughts:
I think child labor is a social crime that transpires to many places, either publicly or worst secretly, and innocent children are racked with pain and agony.
John Emmanuel Tayo, Gigmoto CDP in Catanduanes
Youth taking part in societal issues is greatly important and we, in Good Neighbors, ensure their participation in taking action. Some of our youth in our communities shared their thoughts on how everyone should take part in protecting our environment.
Althea Romano & Kaye Adreinne Evangelista, Tingloy CDP in Batangas
Many ways drive us to take care of the environment and if we do not protect it we will be the ones to be affected by the abuse we are doing. Moreover, the important livelihoods depend on this every day.
The education of the youth and children in distance learning is one of our top priorities. Many education-related challenges were encountered by youth and children learners, such as lack of modules or learning materials, accessibility to the internet, and others.
We continuously work hand in hand with partner government units to achieve a better and quality education for the children and address these challenges in education.
Participation of GNIP Laak Field Office
The role and participation of Good Neighbors International Philippines (GNIP) Laak Field Office have been significant in addressing the needs and plight of the frontliners and the communities.
Public Address System (PAS) is very helpful in information dissemination related to COVID-19, making announcements, and emergency alarms to communities, especially in such areas where there is no access to the internet or has a limitation on electricity.
In the special Barangays Limot, Candiis, Libuton, and Mag-Agbay in Laak, Davao de Oro, the Public Address System (PAS) provided is now being used for information dissemination to the community members without the risk of infecting the others. These four barangays were the first barangays in Aguinaldo to have installed a PAS.
COVID-19 will not hinder Good Neighbors International Philippines from putting the children’s needs and safety the first priority. Alongside this long-running unprecedented pandemic, the organization will continuously provide assistance to those affected especially in project areas where it serves.
The situation of the vulnerable communities has undoubtedly affected the lives and wellbeing of the children and families. To address this, constant efforts to assure safety and protection are mobilized by Good Neighbors International Philippines (GNIP) to its project areas.