“Participation to me is when children are given voices and opportunities to plan and work along the four broad categories [survival, development, participation and protection] of child rights,” says Edward Quintana-Abeleda when asked about his most significant learning on child rights.
As a child Community Facilitator (CF) in his village in Sorsogon, 17-year old Edward lobbies children’s agenda at the local government (LGU) level, conducts awareness raising on child rights at the village level, represents children in national and regional advocacy networks as well as in planning and implementing community projects.
Edward Quintana Abeleda’s family returned to Bicol after the tragic Tropical Storm (Category 2) Ketsana that submerged several cities in the country’s National Capital Region in 2009. Edward was a typical young boy growing up in the metro who was into online games and other activities, although he never missed going to school.
With the sudden change of environment, and now finding himself living in the rural area, he still yearned for the things the metro had to offer but he had no choice but to adapt to his new environs. His innate leadership potential has landed him a position in their school government organization in Grade 5 and he was elected president in Grade 6 and graduated valedictorian.
Edward maximizes his capacity to influence and lead others. This was also recognized by the Educo-trained adult Community Facilitator (CF), who recommended him to be a child CF.
Becoming a CF has provided opportunities for Edward to exercise his right to participation. He was a participant in the first Children’s Congress where children’s issues and concerns were gathered and consolidated. These were also used as bases in advocating inclusion of programs for children in the LGU plans and budget, as well as in implementing community projects that were identified by children based on the needs of their localities.
“By becoming a CF, I was able to help my peers in understanding and resolving their personal issues,” he shares. He has been very active in ensuring that the right to participation is claimed by children. “I was also able to contribute in preparing barangay plans for children,” he expounds.
When asked about his life learning as a teen, he says, “I think it helps to be independent, [otherwise] you will not be able to discover yourself and your full potential. It also helps not to be satisfied with where you are now but help develop yourself, learn from other people’s experiences and beliefs in pursuit of your dreams.”
Last year Edward was not able to enroll in school due to financial constraints. However, this has provided him more time to volunteer. He also worked in a store to help his parents save money for enrolment.
Finally this school year, he was able to go back to school and enroll in Grade 11 in one of the technical-vocational high schools in Albay to prepare him better for college or work after Senior HS. He wants to be an architect someday. In the recent Poster and Slogan-Making Contest sponsored by Bata Muna Bicol Advocacy, he was awarded 4th place among 18 participants from different Civil Society Organizations (CSO) working for children. His choice topic? Child participation, of course.
Educo promotes the right to participation, of children and those who support them. To realize this, we work with the community members to champion children’s wellbeing. Through Community Facilitators (CF), local volunteers capacitated by Educo through the Child Friendly Local Governance (CFLG) Project, the communities including children are orientated on children’s rights and their responsibilities. In their municipality, there are three volunteers CF per barangay – an elected official, a local community worker and a child representative who are recommended by the Barangay Council.
# Story by Mariella, MEL Specialist
