YOUTH EMPOWERMENT THROUGH EDUCATION
Education is one of the most effective developmental programs for poverty reduction. According to the study of Ducanes and Tan (2014), poverty incidence drops to 2.4% in a household with at least one college graduate. Thus, getting a college degree is vital to nation-building with a 98% poverty reduction indicator in the Philippines.
Through Caritas Manila, the social services and development ministry of the Archdiocese of Manila, the Church extends its help to poor but deserving youth through its flagship program, Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP). Through the generosity of Caritas Manila’s partners and benefactors, over 10,000 youth have graduated through YSLEP.
One YSLEP scholar who graduated Cum Laude from West Visayas State University, Himaymaylan Campus is Jonna Mel Sandico. She’s an active member of her parish, Christ the King in Magballo, Kabankalan, Negros Occidental.
Before finally being able to study in college, Jonna worked as a kasambahay for 4 years in Manila. After that, she realized that she really wanted to earn a college diploma not only for herself but also for her family. Her journey as a college student was not easy. In order to provide for her needs especially in school, she managed her time between work, study and responsibilities in her school organization.
Caritas Manila’s YSLEP helped Jonna not only in terms of financial assistance but also in expanding her social circle, and through the values formation and leadership trainings provided, she was honed to become a servant leader with self-discipline, moral integrity, and social responsibility.
Jonna is the first to graduate in college in her family, with this she expressed her heartfelt gratitude to Caritas Manila for helping her achieve her dreams.
“Madamo gid nga salamat Caritas Manila, maraming salamat sa mga sponsor and benefactors for giving us this chance and opportunity, you have been God’s channels of blessing that flows to us,” she added.
According to Rev. Fr. Anton Pascual, Executive Director of Caritas Manila, Caritas Manila continues to strengthen its education program, extending its help to the poorest regions especially in Mindanao and Yolanda-hit areas.
“Caritas Manila believes that education is vital in poverty reduction and through YSLEP, we are able to help over 10,000 graduates with 5,000 scholars to date,” Fr. Pascual emphasized. Those who can finish college have a 98% chance of overcoming poverty. In the Philippines, for every 100 children that enter grade 1, only 14 will finish college. Through Caritas Manila’s Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP), poor and deserving youths are given a chance to earn college or vocational/technical degrees to help them lift their families out of poverty.
Former Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aquino IV also encouraged the youth servant leaders to contribute to nation building during Caritas Manila’s Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP) Recognition Day. “Firstly sa mga scholars natin pag butihin ninyo ang inyong pag-aaral and try to be the servant leaders that we need in your communities. At sa lahat po ng mga kaibigan natin suportahan po natin ang isa sa pinakamagagaling na youth program sa ating bansa, ang YSLEP,” Sen. Bam emphasized.
The Episcopal Commission on Catechesis and Catholic Education of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP-ECCCE) has similarly intensified its appeal for Filipinos to support Caritas Manila’s Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program (YSLEP).
According to La Union Bishop Daniel Presto, Chairman of the commission, this initiative seeks to provide educational opportunities to more than 5,000 young people enrolled in the program. Bishop Presto emphasized that Caritas Manila’s YSLEP is an effective means for youth to escape the cycle of poverty through education.
“Atin po sanang suportahan ang donation drive ng Radio Veritas at Caritas Manila sa kanilang Youth Servant Leadership and Education Program o YSLEP upang masuportahan ang pag aaral ng mga YSLEP scholars sa buong bansa na kumukuha/kukuha ng ibat-ibang college courses at technical-vocational courses para sa darating na School Year. Ang kahit kaunting maitutulong natin ay para sa ikakaganda ng kinabukasan ng mga kapatid nating financially-challenged,” Bishop Presto told Radio Veritas.
YSLEP helps poor but deserving youth not only in terms of academic excellence but also molds them to become servant leaders in their communities. YSLEP is the flagship program of Caritas Manila that provides educational assistance, values formation workshops, and leadership trainings to almost 5,000 students nationwide. To know more about YSLEP and other programs of Caritas Manila, visit www.caritasmanila.org.ph.
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