Youth, The Gift of Hope

"Ang Kabataan ang Pag-asa ng Bayan!" I still have faith in this belief of our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. I still believe that our youth today can still help us realize the dreams that we have for our country - a better Philippines!

But, with what's happening to our country now, wherein more and more of our countrymen are experiencing hardship and are really struggling just to survive, I can't really blame those who are already losing hope.

So if there is one gift that I would like to give our country, it is the gift of HOPE.

That as long as there are younger generations, HOPE can and will still be within our reach!

My work as a Court Interpreter in a family court exposes me to the reality of life. And it really saddens me to know and witness the gravity of offenses and crimes that our youth are now getting theirselves involve with. Gone is the innocence that used to distinguish the young ones from adult...

With this reality, how do we still achieve our dreams for a better Philippines?

I still believe that we can still do something, if work hand in hand, now!

Education. I still believe that this still remains the greatest tool that every person should have. This will guide them to distinguish good from bad. 

But, what do we do with the youth which are already involve in crimes - referred to us Child in Conflict with the Law (CICL)? 

As of today, there are organizations that takes care of the CICLs. Some are under the Department of Social Welfare & Development and there are likewise from the private sectors. The National Training School for Boys & The Marillac Hills are just some of these organizations. They provide life to every CICL after they were sentence for the crimes they've committed, in preparation for the time when they will be getting out the institution...

But, unfortunately, these agencies are no longer sufficient to provide the needs of every CICL due to insufficient budget & manpower. 

And so in order to revive HOPE, I really wish I can give the Phillippines shelters and institutions to cater the CICLs so that each will be ready when they finally get out of the shelter and mingle with the society again. And hopefully, they can be more productive citizens, thus, finally realizing the hopes and dreams, not only of Dr. Jose Rizal, but of all of us Filipinos! 

How about you? What gift can you give the Philippines?! #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014