The Wrath of Sendong

 

Iligan City is known as the City of Majestic Waterfalls because of its numerous waterfalls and amazing wonders of nature. But since December 17, 2011, Iligan City is a place of horror, the city of tents. Iligan City has become a place where people are just trying to get by on the streets with thick cardboard and relying on donations from NGOs.

 

I suppose that I never really knew what the word ‘flood’ meant. I thought maybe that the water would reach just above your ankle. Until December 17, 2011, I did not know that a flood could actually take lives, properties, and claim the hopes and dreams of those affected.

 

That fateful morning, I did my chores as usual: cleaning and straightening the house. I also washed some clothes, even though I knew that it would rain later. After doing my chores, I decided to visit my friend, not knowing that that was the last time I would step out from my room.

 

The rain started around 8 pm. I couldn't go home yet, so I spent time with my friend talking about our school and some other stuff. I wanted to go home, but my friend insisted that I stay with him since it was pouring hard. Around 12 am I decided to go home. He accompanied me to the highway where I could catch a motorbike. Just as we were walking we saw two branches of trees on the road that fell because of strong wind and could not withstand the heavy rain. My friend and I are both Kenyans and have never experienced such things; we just told ourselves it's not a big deal. Things happen.

 

I rode a motorbike in the direction of home. Some of my neighbors were texting me that I should not come back to our place. But I thought nothing of it as I was very tired and just wanted to sleep in the comfort of my own home. When I reached the crossing near my place I saw people crying, rescuing whatever they could, and fleeing for their lives. The houses were damaged, including mine, some people had drowned, and some people were dead.

 

All of my belongings in the house were destroyed, the roof was swept away. I felt like my heart was bleeding because of this tragedy. I was alone, crying. I didn’t know where to start, where to live, where to eat. I don't have my family here, and I no longer have a home. My documents, my books, certificates, all washed away. I was left with only what I had on my person. I only had 75 pesos in my pocket. Although I had recently bought food enough to sustain me for a week, all of that had been reduced to nothing due to the flood.

 

I was in state of crisis. My neighbors were crying. I can’t even begin to think of those who had little children to think of. I miss them -- those children who would come to my house and sing Christmas songs. I used to play with them just outside my compound and now I don't even know if they alive or what happened to them.

 

I decided to brave the flood waters and went to my house. At that time, the water level was up to my chest, but I wanted to go and see if I could still save some of my things. It was very painful to stay awake till morning; I was tired, frustrated, depressed, and empty.

 

The only person who would host me was the same friend who I had visited the night of the flood. It was not easy for me. I swallowed my pride because I didn’t have a choice. I only had 75 pesos in my pocket. To make things worse, his place has visitation restrictions. At night, the occupants should pay 200 pesos for any visitor who stays. I took a shower at his place and thought about what I should do next. Where should I go? What do I have to eat? Thinking about all of these things added stress. I had to figure out how to provide for myself and not to be a burden to my friend.

 

I sent emails home, but later I realized that internet access is very difficult out in the province. I tried to call home, but the signal was not good. I saw some victims being given relief goods and I felt shy, mainly because I am not a Filipino. I also felt that I don't deserve it as much as the women, children, and disabled. For 24 hours I felt numbed by the frustration of the tragedy until my stomach couldn't take it anymore. I went to school and I had to queue for food that was given to the victims.

 

The whole thing was a lesson to me; people say we learn through experience. I was a victim, and now I know how it feels when you are in such situation. I want this unfortunate event to bring change to myself and hopefully to the community. After the floods, many were homeless. Almost 3000 families were evacuated in schools, municipal halls, and some built impromptu shelters on the streets. NGOs and other organizations helped the victims by assisting them with their basic needs such as food, clothing, and clean water for drinking. Even though I was also a victim, I had some sense that I need to help. I needed to help because people helped me too. I volunteered to help the victims and observed that the relief goods were not enough. It was my observation that the victims of the flood should still be given more so as to help them rebuild their lives.

 

The children need counseling because of the trauma they've been through. Some lost their parents. As a volunteer, I tried as much as possible to give them comfort and make them feel that everything will be fine.

 

People in the evacuation centers should also be educated about hygiene. They should not go back to the places affected by floods because of the disease leptospirosis (a disease caused by the urine of rats, common in flood waters).

 

I believe that the city’s government is doing what they can do to prevent such scenarios in the future, but a lot of help is needed from the private sector as well. The people should be taught about the importance of taking care of the forest and help the government implement stricter rules against illegal logging. As they always say, "prevention is better than cure".

 

I believe that what happened to Iligan City is a reminder to the people that the wrath of mother nature is destructive, and can take away thousands of lives.

 

Despite the flash flood on the 16th of December, 2011, whereby schools, properties and lives were lost, there has been an improvement on rescue and rehabilitation. Government, NGOs and other local groups and individuals are doing their best to help the victims. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all parties that participated to help the victims affected by the flood.

 

I happened to have an opportunity to interview one of the organizations, Birth-Dev, which is working under the Mindanao Emergency Response Network with rescue and rehabilitation. Birth Dev deals with psycho-social rehabilitation and it mainly concentrates on children. Their work is to co-ordinate with Barangay leaders and other groups and also make plans regarding how best to help the victims. Birth Dev works together with other organizations such as RASFI, RWCR, and KRI in a coordinated fashion under the Mindanao Emergency Response Network.

 

Since Birth Dev focuses mostly on children, I was able to gather some information on how they approach the children. Experts, together with volunteers, use activities such as games, songs, drawing, role-play and storytelling to entertain the affected children. They try as much as possible to create lessons in every activity they perform in order to help the children adopt positive thinking and hope for their future. Aside from activities, the organization creates awareness on nutrition, water and sanitation, and hygiene. Birth Dev also helps to educate the adults on the same matters and tries as much as possible to give them comfort and hope for the future.

 

However, in as much as Birth Dev is trying its best, it also encounters problems and difficulties that hinder its progress. According to the representative of the organization that I interviewed, the organization lacked experts. Birth Dev has only six experts. There are another six who are still in training. Taking into consideration the current needs, she recommends that Birth Dev should have at least twenty experts who can help in psycho-social rehabilitation.

 

As I was finishing the interview, I asked her what support the organization needs most. She said that Birth Dev needs training for many of their staff members in order for them to improve their service on psycho-social rehabilitation. Financial support is also what the organization is seeking to boost their daily activities. Financial support could aid Birth Dev in giving allowances to their volunteers and staff so as to ease their movement and stay. Materials is also one of the needs. For example, Birth Dev could use donations of crayons, stationary, balls, chalk, etc.

 

Transportation is another problem the organization is facing. Since there are a lot of things to be transported as well as volunteer and staff mobility, the organization prefers to have special vehicles that can be used even in the mountainous regions. As I was about to conclude, Cristina mentioned something that touched me. She said, Birth Dev as an organization also need to be taken care of. She suggested that there should be a group which can also guide them.

 

They also want to listen. The members and volunteers working with Birth Dev want to be comforted and corrected.

 

In my view, Birth Dev’s office is too small -- they are using the same office to keep relief food and other things. It is my opinion that they should have a larger office and better place to store their materials.

 

As it is, team work is a key factor to success. I would suggest to anyone that we team up, and together give support to those in need using such organizations as Birth Dev. I believe that the hand that gives receives more.

 

 

Balay Integrated Rehabilitation Center for Total Human Development

(BIRTH-Dev, INC.)

A PSYCHOSOCIAL organization for the children and women victims of armed conflict and other disasters.

 

Organizational Background

 

BIRTH-Dev is a non-stock, non-profit, human rights institution that provides psychosocial rehabilitation to victims of armed conflict and other forms of disasters.

 

BIRTH-DEV started in 1997 after it separated as a regional center from a national organization.  Its main area of operation is Lanao del Norte though it gets invitation to conduct training on emotional recovery work as far as Zamboanga and Caraga Regions.

 

VISION

BIRTH-Dev envisioned a society in Lanao Provinces where men, women and children affected by disasters are psychosocially rehabilitated and empowered.

 

MISSION

BIRTH-Dev shall strive to pursue ER work, promote sustainable livelihoods and strengthen capacities of vulnerable groups to reduce impacts of disasters.

 

Goals

-              Enhanced emotional recovery work among vulnerable groups and communities

-              Developed capacities of vulnerable groups on emotional recovery work and sustainable livelihoods

-              Improved literacy of vulnerable children

-              Developed and mobilized volunteers for emotional recovery work

-              Improved synergy and cooperation with other service providers

 

                                

 

          

 

Programs

-              Sustainable Livelihoods

-              Emotional recovery work

a. Community education;

b. Training on Emotional Recovery

c. Emotional recovery support sessions

 

-              Educational Assistance

-              Volunteer Mobilization and Development

 

BIRTH-Dev is a member of:

-              Kalibutan Alang sa Katawhan (KALITAWHAN)

-              Mindanao Emergency Response Network (MERN)

-              Alliance against AIDS in Mindanao, Inc. (ALAGAD-Mindanao)

-              Civil Society Organization - Forum for Peace (CSO-FP)

-              Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC)

-              Coalition to Protect Children Involved In Armed Conflict (Protect CIAC)

-              Civil Society Organization Lanao Del Norte Partnership for Peace Development

(CSOLN-PPD)

-              Regional Emergency Psychosocial Support Network (REPSN)

 

 

-----------------------------------------------------

You can be of help to women and children survivors of disasters through:

-              sponsoring a child education

-              sharing your expertise in counseling and livelihood

-              sharing your extra toys, clothing’s and other materials, women and children might need

-              be a volunteer to the different activities conducted at the community level

 

          

                       

The Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED) a registered non-governmental youth-led organization has launched a program intended to improve the reading skills of primary school students in the country.

Speaking in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County on December 16, 2011 at the program marking the official launch of the 2011/2012 Reading Enrichment Program, the Executive Director of COYPED Mr. James Koryor, stated that the program was initiated based on a research conducted by his organization form July-September 2011 in Grand Bassa County.

 He also noted that the research reveal the out of every ten (10) primary school students in the county only two can read properly, while the others can’t do otherwise. The COYPED boss further stated that the program will help disadvantaged and underprivileged primary school children in the county acquired the requisite knowledge and technique in reading as well as to identify gifted and talented student who may need support.

 The youth advocate further stressed that the 14 years civil conflict did not only destroy the infrastructure and economy of the country, but every sector of the country went untouched especially the educational sector. He noted that if appropriate program are not initiated at the early stage for children who are the future generation, the country will have serious education problem by having a young generation of students who cannot read. The youth l

 Serving as Keynote Speaker at the launch program, the Vice President of the Grand Bassa Community College Dr. Zechariah Gaye, commended the youth NGO for the steadfastness to help in providing voluntary services to improve the reading skills of primary school students in the county. He also encouraged the students to take advantage of the opportunity that has been afforded them by the youth organization. He used the occasion to caution students in the county that if they are to achieve their full potential they must take their lesson seriously noting that no one can became educated if he or she can’t read properly. He also donated one of his recent book published title “From a small Village in Liberia, West Africa to the United States of America” which was presented to a six grade  student at the program. He also promised to serve as advisor to the County Chapter of the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development.

 For his part the Dean of Teacher Education at the Grand Bassa Community College, Rev, S Augustine Yeahgar in a special remark thanked the organizers of the  program stating that the program when commence will bring relief to primary school children in the county by improving their horizon intellectually especially in reading. He further called on relevant institutions supporting education activities in the country to join the youth organization in building the capacity of youth and children so they can be able to contribute to the society.

Speaking on behalf of principals of invited schools at the launch of the program, the principal of the New Testament Baptist School Rev. Wilton K. Korporal welcome the guests and thanked the youth group for the initiative and promise to work with the County Chapter of the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development in ensuring that the program is fully implemented in the county stating the his school will serve as host for the program in the county.

 For his part, the county coordinator of the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development Grand Bassa County Chapter, Mr. Jerrison M. Davies thanked the invited institutions, special guests and students for taking up their time and leaving their busy schedule to grace the occasion and promised to coordinate the program professionally in the county.

In conclusion of the event, the Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development distributed over two hundred local readers to students that attended the launch program. The readers were provided to students from kindergarten to grade six. twelve (12) schools was in attendance each school was represented by ten (10) students while the host school New Testament Baptist School was represented by over one hundred (100) students from kindergarten to grade six and ages ranging from 6 to 16 years. The total of ninety-eight girls attended the program while the other was boys’ ages ranging from 9-17 years old.  Approximately 210 students attended to event.

 The Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED) is a registered non-governmental youth-led organization established in 2008, COYPED seek to empower young people to contribute positively to society by working  together with a shared sense of purpose and responsibility on matters relative to health, education, human right, anti-corruption, civic education and developmental issues regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, disability, geographical location, political  or religious affiliation.

Guardian Care is a non-profit, non-government and non-political organisation committed to supporting the orphans, poor, disadvantaged, widows and elderly of Liberia, West Africa. Guardian Care was founded in 2008 and was recognized by the government of Liberia in mid 2011. Guardian Care is staffed by orphans who have experienced what it means to be without parents, and young innovative Liberians working to empower the poor. All staff volunteer their time to assist those in need. Guardian Care aims to provide medical attention, education and training, clean water and food, along with personal support to build a generation of Liberians who can build a better Liberia. Please Follow the link To Read More on Guardian Care.

http://www.guardiancareliberia.org/

and also

http://guardiancare-inc.blogspot.com/

A registered non-for-profit youth-led organization Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED) attention has be drawn to failure of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) and the Ministry of Youth & Sports to empower youth-led organizations operating in the country.

Speaking at the organization office in Monrovia the Executive Director of COYPED, James Koryor stressed that there is no shortage of effective youth-led organizations in Liberia. There is however, a shortage of resources and funding, and small organizations are often overlooked by national and international institutions. Commenting on the 2011 political process, the youth leader called on the government and international partners to strengthen and increase youth democratic participation in the elections process.

The youth advocate also indicated that for a democracy to survive and flourish, a critical mass of its citizen’s especially young people must possess the skills, embody the values, and manifest the behaviors that accord with democracy. They must know enough about the basic features of a democratic political system to be able to access it when their interests are at stake, and they must believe in the importance of certain key democratic values, such as tolerance for divergent viewpoints and support for the rule of law.

They must also be willing and able to participate in local and national politics, and they must believe that their participation is important to the continued viability of the democratic political system

The COYPED boss further maintained that Young people are identified with higher propensity to engage in change. They also posses clear insight into the perception of change in society and the continuity of those changes; and they are the largest, most productive, most active and major driving force in society and must be empower at all level.

Speaking in a very simple manner the youth leader stated that the reason why many social and political forces or movements consider it important to invest time and resources on young people as a mechanism of promoting and influencing their causes. Hence, one of the ways of making our young people productive citizens in the affairs of their country would be to focus on education and provide impetus on enhancing Liberia’s present political process that provides our youth every opportunity to participate in the lives of their people. And to empower them to address the challenges we all face, and to train them to be agents of change and development, in a way that emboldens justice and democracy in future Liberia, and not instilling politics that inspires violence and hatred in their society.

Mr. Koryor also called on the youths to remain peaceful and tolerent as they engage into the political processes and must not be use by egotistical and ravenous politician as agent of desturction and confusion. He also maintained that it is about time that the young people of Liberia see themselves as problem solver rather than problem maker the youth leader maintained.

 

 

 

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More than 300 hundred children in New Kru Town are expected to benefit from the 2011 Children Study & Play Program

 

According to COYPED Executive Director, James Koryor the program was first initiated in 2010 and benefitted 410 children in New Kru Town and its environs. The COYPED boss further stated that this year program is been sponsored by the Liberian Education Trust-Monrovia (LET-M).

 

The Children Study & Play Program is a Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development (COYPED) initiativedesign to address the educational and social needs of vulnerable and underprivileged Liberian children. The program is intended to improve the reading skills of primary school children and keep in-school children off the streets after they leave school daily and especially during vacation.  It also gear toward helping out-of-school children play safe and provide conducive environment for a cordial interactions between in-school  and out-of-school children through study/tutorial  classes, recreational activities and sports.

 

The COYPED boss revealed that an independent survey conducted by the organization in 2010 on the Bushrod Island and Paynesville communities indicates that seven out every ten children lack access to early childhood education program, which lead them to perform poorly in academic and further undermine their quest for quality education. The research revealed that children are at the disadvantage due to poverty, inequality, corruption and other societal lapses.  

Most children on the Bushrod lost focus or concentration of their lesson during vacation and even after school hours.  Some are isolated from educational activities while other engages in street selling thereby making them as bread winners for their masters.  Some are glued to television/video clubs while other illustrates actions from movies on their friends or peers.  Some are out-of-school while other lacks access to tutor.  In fact, there is a need to put into place mechanism for identifying gifted and talented students at the appropriate age as well as students with special education need at the proper time to receive support.

Commenting on the venues of the program, Mr. Koryor said that the program will be held at the Point-Four Elementary School campus in New Kru Town the program commenced on July 18, 2011.

 

 

More than 1000 youths in Liberia join their friends around the world to celebrate the 2011 Global Youth Service Day (April 15-17). The event brought together Governmental Officials, Youth Leaders, and Individuals from the NGO community and prominent citizens.

speaking at the indoor program held at the D-twe Memorial High School in New Kru Town, the Governor of the Borough of New Kru Town, Hon. Richard Tobii encouraged the youths to be agents of change and engage in voluntary ventures that will have impact on thier communities.

also at the program the Executive Director of the Youth Exploring Solutions, Mr. Stephen B. Lavalah called on young People to engage into voluntary activities and promote social responsibility. for her part the Special Project Manager at the Liberia Maritime Authority, Madam Celia Cuffy-Browne said it was about for youth especially war affected one to forget about thier past and engage into activities that will help them achieved their full potential.

other personalities at the program include the Deputy Secretary for Finance at the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), Mr. Robert Pyne, Madam Musu Jugbor, chairman  of the woman wind of district # 12 Montserrado county.

in continuance of the GYSD on April 16, 2011 the Country Partner Consolidated Youth for Peace & Development along with local organizers carry out massive cleaning up exercise in communities in Montserrado County and on Sunday, April 17, 2011 in climaxing the event COYPED host a all day sporting festival.

 

The impact of mobile batteries on the environment should be discussed without further apology. I believed that the manufacturers must take responsibility to ensure that used batteries are properly disposed. The argument here is, used batteries are very dangerous to both the environment and humans.

Research has established, that lead which is found in mobile phone batteries and other electronic devices, can accumulate in the environment and have a detrimental effect on plants, animals, and humans. In humans, it causes damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems, blood systems, and kidneys. Secondly, consumer electronics have been recorded to be responsible for 40% of this metal found in landfills.

Therefore, I suggest that a legislation be enacted by every nation to oblige the producers of mobile phone batteries to take responsibility to dispose their used batteries. This will reduce environmental degradation and health hazard.

"Our Environment our Future

Today around 12;30pm I with the staff members of Birth.Dev left for Nepo for Emotional Recovery Session with the kids.We arrived in Nepo around 1;25pm,the session were comprised of 27kids ranging from 3years of age to 17.The session started with prayers from both the Christian kids and that of the Muslim kids,The session was comprised of ex crises,games,stories and lecture by Tina on child"s rights.The session lasted for about 2hrs and ended with closing prayers from both religion.After snacks were shared among the kids.we got back to Iligan about 4pm.Bye

On the 23rd of August 2010 in the capital city of the Philippines,Manila,an ex-police capitian took some forgerians
hostage.it was a very sad scene and unfortunately eight of the hostages lost their lives and the kidnapper killed also.

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This is your opportunity to help change the lives of disadvantaged youth at the Buduburam Refugee Camp by giving the
m meaning to realize their dreams! Get involved!

The ‘i20 Empowerment,’ is a Capacity Building, Community Development initiative of Joseph M D Johnson (African Youth Worker, a
delegate from Liberia at the African youth and governance Conference in Accra 2010), as a means to reduce the alarming situation of illiteracy, unproductiveness, unemployment, teenage pregnancy, drug abuse, diverse pleasure and evil practices among young refugees

The goal is: "Empowerin
g 20 young persons who are disadvantaged. It seeks to motivate and inspire these young folks to foster their dreams educationally, discover their purpose, become entrepreneur and make use of the opportunity available to them in the 21st century, by having an insight of the African Youth Charter; so that they can grow into responsible people by achieving their dreams and helping their societies." 'i20 Empowerment' purpose is to: Inspire, Motivate and Empower! 3 Weeks by great Resource Personnel! An initiative to promote the African Youth Charter!

VISION: “A morally sound social conscious and transformed youth empowered to actively participate in the development of their c
ountries with dignity and integrity for enhanced impact.”

MISSION: Mobilize and empower youth to attain better standards of life, provide them a larger forum for discussion and participation in the development of their own programs to enable them identify, design and implem
ent those significant aspects that will aid their personal development, and subsequently the socio-economic development of their countries.

CORE VALUES: Honesty, Discipline, Responsibility, and Service,

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES:

 Enhance the capacity of existing disadvantaged youth;
 To empower, motivate and inspire young folks to foster their dreams educationally, discover their purpose, become entrepreneur and make use of the opportunity available to them in the 21st centaury;

 To provide basic educational opportunity of low income for 20 disadvantaged youths who would otherwise have little or
no parental support within 3 weeks periodically;

 Develop the ability of disadvantaged youth to start a capacity building initiative in their communities;

 To promote learning in Africa especially in South-Sahara Africa;

 To create awareness of the African Youth Charter among ‘i20 Empowerment’ participants;

 To promote gender equity especially in South-Sahara Africa;

 Provide youth mentorship services and consultancy to all ‘i20 Empowerment’ participants in workshops/seminars;

 To help educate disadvantaged youths to become the citizens their nation need them to be;

 To reduce the struggle of disadvantaged youth who pay high cost of school fees.

TARGET BENEFICIARIES: Evidently disadvantaged youth between ages 15 - 29

 Adolescents, who are physically challenged (disabled), young refugees including young people who are in need of basic skills.

PHASES OF IMPLEMENTATION: There are 4 phases of the implementation of the ‘i20 Empowerment’

Phase 1: The first phase is focused on conducting a survey to identify existing disadvantaged youth in Ghana, especially on the refugee camp, and potential youth who have low self esteem, lack hope, feel rejected by families and attempt to make progress towards their education but failed.

Phase 2: The second phase is focused on short listing beneficiaries, and Truman Counseling by train personnel. It is committed to enhancing the capacity of beneficiaries, to improve the quality of their skills by creating a platform to em
power, motivate and inspire them.

Phase 3: The third phase is committed to conducting a 3 weeks intensive workshop, using the Project Scope, facilitated by resourceful personnel to develop the ability of potential beneficiaries to make the ‘i20 Empowerment’ goal a reality.

On this note, I am is kindly calling on online volunteers to help contact donors and implement strategies that will make 'i20 Empowerment' a success!

Joseph M D Johnson
www.i20empowerment.blogspot.com
+233 244 184181
Email: i20empowerment@gmail.com

yupced liberia will be host its first ever form rising program on the17th of july 2010 @ about 13:30 pm on the compus of Charles f. Canine christ community school in bernard's farm paynesville monrovia liberia. The aim of this program is for yupced to be able to sponsor some students in school comes next school year. we are aiming at rising at least USD 7,000.00 for this program. we are inviting lot of people to this program and you too are whole heartly welcome to this program.We hope that this students sponsor program will be a continus process and is successful.
thanks for reading this news and you are welcome to this program.

we the members and officails of youth united for the promotion of community empowerment and development locate in monrovia, liberia are looking for local and internatioal paters to help us get the needed youth in our community in school next school year starting septmber of this year.

Caldwell,New Georgia North Road

Dear Fellow Youth of Liberia,

I am acting as Country Coordinator for Liberia on behalf of Debatewise for their Global Youth Panel.

Debatewise is forming a panel of 1,000 young people from more than 100 different countries to debate the issues and decisions from the Copenhagen Climate Conference in December.

It is no exaggeration to say that this is the most important environmental conference to ever take place. Whatever happens there will be felt by all of us for years to come. If you care about the environment you should be thinking about what you can do to make your voice heard.

I am looking for proactive and passionate Liberian youth to join me and other young people to be drown from parts of the world on this panel and have their say on what happens in Copenhagen. Members will debate the issues as they arise and will vote on the points that have been made. This provides an up-to-the-minute sense of what young people around the world think of events in Copenhagen and should be of great interest to newspapers and TV.

The panel will continue after the conference; Debatewise will run a series of debates to discuss how individual countries are impacted by the decisions the conference comes to. This takes what happens there, makes it personal, real and local and gives it a depth greater than the cold figures and diplomatic talks of the conference.

This is a unique opportunity to play your part in a very important global event, the consequences of which will have a huge impact on the world you’re about to inherit. It is your right and your duty to have your say. Let your leaders know what you think. Join this panel and you can do so.

The conference runs from the 7th – 18th December. During that time you’ll be emailed with a list of debate motions. If you have something to say, go to the site and make your point. If you just want to vote on the debates you can do that too.

Limited participation is fine, but to join the panel you will need to promise you’ll vote.

*If you want to be involved with a unique, pivotal and very important event,
please send me *

* Your name,
* Your phone number,
* Your email address and
* Your date of Birth

You can always reach me through these contacts below:

Thomas J. Barlue
Programs Director
African Child Peace Initiative-Liberia
Cell: +231-6605658 / 77969319
profiles.takingitglobal.org/Teeman
teeman.tigblog.org
WWW.ypwc.org

Welcome..!

Greetings from Iligan City.We left Iligan City by 6;30pm on the 18th of October for Moina one of the rebels control areas,about 97% of the residence are members of the Moro Islamic Lebaration Front{MILF].We reached about 12:30pm and the activity started at 1pm,there were 14 staffs of Birth.Dev including me.

Title;Our Experiences during Armed Conflict
Objectives;a the end of the session,the children through their drawings and sharing of stories,would be able to;
1}Discover that they have common experiences,feelings and fear during the armed conflict and they are are not alone.
2}:Appreciate the presence of people,the events and situation that contribute to their feelings of safety and security.
3}Build a trusting atmosphere between and among the children and the facilitators..

The Activity was Critical Incident Stress Debriefing for Children{Drawing}
Participants were children between age 9-12 and 13-17 years old and number of participants were 30 children,with two facilitators.They were divided into two groups.

Since there was no child friendly space in Moina,we used the school building for the activity,it lasted for 3hours and materials we went with for the activity were Bond Papers,Crayons,Colored Pencils,Erasers and Sharpeners.

The activity started with a opening prayer by a volunteer in the group,after the facilitators opens up the activity by giving the followings;Names of the De briefer,Organization,Objectives of the activity,Surface expectations and process rules{particularly on confidentiality}The facilitators ensure to get the consent of the children to join the activity and they excepted.After the facilitators introduce an ice breaker that when with a song,they explain its meaning and message,it was a peace song.

The facilitators introduce and explain the activity{drawing}materials were distributed and we were told to draw any of our experiences as much as we could remember from our place until we reached the evacuation center.After 45mintues of drawing,we were asked to what did each of us draw?Who were the persons involved in our drawing?and what does it means?What did we remember as we were drawing it?and how do we feel?Each and everyone was given a time to share.I was acting as a 11years old child.After we have a group picture and the session ended with a song and closing prayer.Snacks were given to the children with soft drinks,after we left for iligan after our meal.


Nicholas S. Davis
http://ndavises.tigblog.org/