Involve us as we dream of living

We must always remember that the future belongs to the youth of today, dreaming of living and not merely existing.

Funny, I remember what one doctor said during a health seminar in a business my family is engage in. He said, people have to take time to expose their sex organs in the heat of the 7:00 – 8:00 sunlight. He didn’t mean in public. (No one would do so. Ha ha ha!). Folks can do this even in their rooms where sunlight strikes in.

We were stunned and then laughed. But considering it, indeed its very important for our reproductive health. We are often advised to go walking, jogging or even just stand under the early morning sunlight because it is healthy. However, the whole body is not benefited since our reproductive organs are covered. Makes sense, isn’t it?

This is why some people build their houses with attics roofed with glass for light to pass.

The point is, there is the presence of reproductive health, especially for the youth. And we must deem this important. If we regard latest thingamabobs significant for us, how much more for our organs?

For the past three years, the Visayan Reproductive Health Initiative did cater a venue for students to be effective instruments in addressing issues concerning gender equality, sexuality, reproductive health, rights, and the like. They initiated and created a circle of advocates to achieve its goal which is to enhance the quality of life in the Visayas. They train leaders in Reproductive Health from among LGUs/GOs, NGOs, academe, mass media, youth, health service providers, local stakeholders and grassroots organizations in the Visayas region. They provide means for the various sectors to develop culturally-specific and effective approaches in advocating awareness on RH in the community.

Through VRHI, a youth arm was created to serve as active partners of development, thus named Y-Konek or Youth Connect. But why the youth? Involving the youth brings out inputs relevant to their needs and can identify communication channels and activities popular in their subculture while formulating new and vital ideas with high energy to carry out tasks. Involving the youth as program leaders and as educators and counselors can sometimes yield better outcomes than adult professionals. Moreover, training and experience as peer educators enhance skills, self-esteem and leadership potential among those involved youth.

The president of the student government when I was still in college, Roberto Baylon and I attended the 1st RH Forum held at the Provincial Capitol, September last year, and it brought us to our membership in the core group of Y-Konek – Negros Occidental Chapter. Other members were from Riverside College, USLS, Bago City College, West Negros College and Philippine Normal University.

Y-Konek is not established for fun, enjoyment and fame. But this is conceptualized to empower young minds for encouraging and emboldening purposes. Now, its gradually surfacing to reality. Since the youths are facing concerns and issues regarding repro-health, there must be no room for apathy. Teen-age pregnancy resulting from pre-marital sex is a dated issue. We’ve been battling it and now its a heavy burden to carry. Hence, we are making this program a venue to disseminate information as to increase awareness and develop reasoning with regards to RH and a negative attitude towards pre-marital sex.

This project gives us a vital role for the programs will be initiated by the youth with due support from the regional councils, school administration, non-government organizations, youth development councils, SK federations and others.

However, we cannot directly start big. But we have to start small and from what we have and from what we can get. Thus, we firmed up to start everything in the academes, create local Y-Konek organizations; and create affiliations with the student government, the peer-helping organizations and most especially the midwifery, health aide students and other medical courses.

Through this program. we can create orientation and consultation drives, family planning advisories, repro-health seminar-workshops and youth camps focusing on empowerment, capability-building, leadership, networking and advocacy trainings.

We are daily facing prevailing reproductive health problems. We see it everywhere; some simple and some disturbing – in schools and in the community. Only, we don’t see it as “the problem.” I hope the newly elected officials would command a stricter implementation of reproductive health advocacies and programs. We must always remember that the future belongs to the youth of today, dreaming of living and not merely existing.

So, together, let us shout these words, “Teach us, involve us, use us!”