A group of youth volunteers in Basilan are not only changing the lives of the province’s people one community at a time; they are also helping chart a better future for the province, one that is more peaceful, more progressive, and more hopeful.
The development of a simple mechanism that makes water more accessible to the upland communities is the thrust of the Youth Working for Change, this year’s Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (TAYO) Awards’ Coca-Cola Barkada Awardee. The Coke Barkada Award is a special recognition for youth organizations whose programs are aligned with the sustainability initiatives of the beverage company.
Since 2011, Coca-Cola Philippines has embarked on activities and programs that help the Company achieve its thrust of 100 percent water replenishment by 2020. The Coca-Cola Agos Program is one of the advocacies that help bring water access to various upland communities around the country with the aid of a mechanical and sustainable hydraulic pump, the amount of water delivered to the community forms part of the Company’s water replenishment goal.
Composed of Basilan youth leaders, Youth Working for Change has helped install water systems in Lamitan and Tipo-Tipo towns. This month, the group’s president Nasiba Salip, vice president Fatima Asad, and adviser Rico Tura, received their plaque and P30,000 prize from Coca-Cola Foundation president Cecile Alcantara at the Western Mindanao State University in Zamboanga City.
“Bringing water to the communities brings a different kind of happiness and fulfillment. We are blessed that Allah has given us this opportunity to be of help to our fellow men. No matter how small the act is, helping others brings a huge impact to the lives of others,” said Asad.
Several communities in Basilan continue to have difficulty accessing water. Development of water infrastructure in the island is also hampered by the security situation in the area. Knowing this, Asad said “We are looking at helping more communities and engaging more youth to join our organization. This way, we will be able to do more for Basilan.”
Dream for a better future
To help the organization affect more lives, Tura wants to register Youth Working for Change with the Securities and Exchange Commission to give it a legal standing.
“We want to help more people, more communities, particularly those in the conflict areas of Basilan. By becoming a formal organization, it will be easier for us to enter into agreements with other stakeholders,” said Tura.
The simple act of bringing water closer to the communities have helped the villages focus more on the other aspects of life, aside from spending most of their days drawing water from the sources.
“We may not be able to solve the peace and order situation in Basilan, but we can help people become more hopeful and encourage them to strive to create the communities that they want to be part of,” said Tura.
“One day, we dream of a Basilan that brings more opportunities for the youth, a Basilan where every community has access to water, and a Basilan that remains hopeful amidst its struggles,” said Salip.
“May the youth never stop dreaming and hoping for a better future. Little by little, together, we can make it happen for our homes, our communities, our Basilan,” said Asad.
Coca-Cola Foundation Philippines has been a TAYO Awards co-presenter for the past 10 years as part of its advocacy on youth participation in nation building. The TAYO Awards caps the country’s premier search for exemplary youth organizations, and is a testament to the commitment of Coca-Cola to empower future generations.
The search for nominees to the 14th TAYO Awards is ongoing and deadline for submission of entries is on September 15, 2016. Interested applicants may visit www.TAYOAwards.net for more information. ADVT.
