For this year’s celebration of the National Children’s Month, OHF made sure that all can participate – children, youth, parents, and service providers. In its month-long celebration, 3 webinars were organized every Saturday of November with a culminating activity as a closing program.
In line with this year’s theme, ‘New Normal na Walang Iwanan: Karapatan ng Bawat Bata ating Tutukan!,” OHF enjoins the nation in continuing the advocacy in addressing children’s rights and protection issues and concerns even during the pandemic time.
Webinar session 2 entitled ‘Usapang Parenting ngayong Pandemic’ was held on November 13, Saturday from 1:30pm to 5:00pm, via Zoom and live streamed on Facebook. This webinar featured a conversational approach of discussion on ‘understanding the child, family and parenting’. Most importantly, discussed were ways how parents can protect their children during this time of pandemic. The webinar is graced by a social worker, child rights specialist, educator, researcher and consultant, from the College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) of the University of the Philippines – Diliman campus, Asst. Professor Florence Flores Pasos, who served as the resource person.
Parent leaders, Ms. Hanna Laganzon from Quezon City served as the host while Ms. Rosalie Sipat was the moderator of the open forum.
It was a very interactive session participated by almost 150 individuals both in Zoom and Facebook live. In attendance are parents of OHF scholars from Luzon to Mindanao, parent leaders in various partner communities, teachers and staff of partner organizations and other service providers. Some scholars, both children and youth also joined their parents in this session, truly a significant bonding and learning experience at the same time.
Three parent representatives shared their learnings and reactions on the discussion. According to the participants their most significant learnings are the important roles of parents in the child’s development, the elements of parenting – care, control and development; importance of maintaining good relationship in the family and most importantly, recognizing the rights of children to participate in making decisions that directly affects them.
OHF recognized parents and families of children and youth we serve as partners in empowering these young fellows to become disciplined, productive and involved members of the society. Thus, initiatives such as these are continued. Together, let us work hand in hand in protecting our children and in making this world safe to live in.
To God be the glory!
Prepared by: Janette Corollo, RSW, Program Area Coordinator 1
