Seed of Hope

    

    Children are the most precious people to ever exist in this world. It is just devastating how some often experience abuse, bullying, and different kinds of violence against them. UNICEF even stated in the year 2016 that 80% of Filipino children have experienced some form of violence at home, in school, in their community and online. The cruelty of this world has led them to become vulnerable to it, leaving them feel unprotected and unopposed. How can there be hope if even our seed of hope are being taken advantage of?

Since then, lots of children have been carrying different pain and torment as they were treated like animals. They're forced to work, flee conflict alone, and even bear a child when they're not supposed too. Some children lack access to education and healthcare because of child labor. They can not go to school even if they wanted to due to the violence being possessed to them by their own relatives. It is like there's a barrier that keeps the children from experiencing the life that is meant for them, the life they truly deserve.

    This needs to stop. Children are also humans and have human rights, just like any other people. They need protection, safety, and support. As we celebrate the 2024 National Children's Month Celebration having the theme “Break the Prevalence, End the Violence: Protecting Children, Creating a Safe Philippines, let's pledge as a whole to report child abuse and support the laws and acts that are existing to protect it. Let's not just pledge but be an advocate for stronger, and more comprehensive child protection laws.

References:

Picture 1: <https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.savethechildren.org.ph%2Four-work%2Four-stories%2Fstory%2Fjfa-prevent-physical-and-humiliating-punishment-of-children%2F&psig=AOvVaw2F1BH4vqTsg3rgYlQvCzYM&ust=1732202324480000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCIiDqtia64kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAQ>

Picture 2: <https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fndaa.org%2Ftraining%2Fbreaking-through-misconceptions-prosecuting-child-sexual-abuse%2F&psig=AOvVaw2F1BH4vqTsg3rgYlQvCzYM&ust=1732202324480000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCIiDqtia64kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAI>

Picture 3: <https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wheninmanila.com%2Fsave-the-children-philippines-enactment-of-anti-online-sexual-abuse-or-exploitation-of-children-law%2F&psig=AOvVaw2F1BH4vqTsg3rgYlQvCzYM&ust=1732202324480000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCIiDqtia64kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAY>

Unity Amidst the Adversity

     

    Climate change is a serious issue affecting several areas and lives of people, and the Philippines is no exception. Our country is experiencing more frequent and intensive typhoons, rising sea levels and temperature, and erratic rainfall patterns causing Filipinos to become highly vulnerable and exposed to the severe effects of it. However, amidst these challenges, the resilience of the Filipino people still remain. They tend to show how resourceful and adaptable they are in facing this progressive change in the environment. 

    

    One instance that proves the Filipino resilience is that when typhoon Kristine hit the Northern part of Luzon. According to UNICEF, Kristine devastated 13 regions and 29 provinces, affecting at least 4.2 million individuals. While other people recovered from it immediately, the impact of typhoon Kristine to the other Filipino families have not been established yet. However, a lot of Filipino people still try to find a way to recover and demonstrate adaptability from it.  

     Moreover, in the field of agriculture, droughts, changes in rainfall pattern, and constant increase of temperature affects the lives of many Filipino farmers, impacting their source of nutrients and livelihood. Nevertheless, the Filipino farmers found a solution by changing crops, using technology, and utilizing local knowledge to adapt from the changes in climate.

    However, resilience is just not enough on its own. No matter how we, Filipinos, try to find solutions in every adversities especially with regard to environmental problems, our resilience is dependent and cannot stand on its own. It is just a massive factor that can help people lessen the impact these challenges have caused their lives. But, one thing is for sure. We need resiliency, but we must also cooperate and solidate in order to make it more stronger and powerful.

References:

Picture 1: <https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.linkedin.com%2Fpulse%2Ffuture-higher-education-todays-context-amrita-karmakar&psig=AOvVaw1lbs29qUu4sj5F6kxBJ3vo&ust=1732202115891000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCPD69fuZ64kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAJ>

Picture 2: <https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tatlerasia.com%2Fnewsletters%2Fbot-help-victims-of-super-typhoon-carina&psig=AOvVaw2A9naJi4DJM4eYXJezN9jv&ust=1732201985189000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCIC887iZ64kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAh>

Picture 3 <https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scidev.net%2Fasia-pacific%2Fnews%2Ffilipino-farmers-advised-to-adapt-to-erratic-rain%2F&psig=AOvVaw36tRFQUKhvEJdg96WeQmdc&ust=1732201763641000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CBQQjRxqFwoTCOCcus6Y64kDFQAAAAAdAAAAABAE>