The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with ScienceKonek to let the youth in the agency’s centers and residential care facilities (CRCFs) rediscover science and technology.
The agreement was signed by Secretary Rex Gatchalian and ScienceKonek founding president Ralph Lauren Abainza at the DSWD Central Office in Quezon City.
The partnership is in line with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure that no youth is left behind and they are trained at an early age to become nation builders of the Bagong Pilipinas.
Under the MOA, ScienceKonek will implement their Youth Science Discovery Program (YSDP) in the agency’s CRCFs through hands-on-experiments, interactive workshops, and engaging the residents in mentorship.
ScienceKonek also aims to upskill the CRCFs employees to ensure continuity of the program.
The YSDP will be piloted at the Nayon ng Kabataan by the end of August.
In his message, Gatchalian said the collaboration with ScienceKonek contributes to the vision of President Marcos for a whole-of-nation approach to give the best opportunities and chances to the youth to become future leaders.
“We are innovatively combining the wonders of science and integrating it into the rehabilitative interventions for the youth. This opportunity is especially important for the youth in the CRCFs who have already faced neglect and even abuse in their young lives,” he said.
Gatchalian underscored the importance of restoring the youth’s hope, more than just providing their basic needs.
“Kami dito sa DSWD (Here at the DSWD), beyond giving material assistance, our mission is to restore hope to these young individuals who are in our centers. We want to show them that while others may have hurt and failed them, there are still people who have big hearts for them,” he said.
More than just giving the youth the platform to rediscover new learnings, the partnership also sends out the message that the community cares for the welfare of the youth in CRCFs.
“This is us telling our youth that we see them and we have faith in them. Despite their past, the future holds so many opportunities for them, especially when so many good-doers, like ScienceKonek, are ready to support them,” Gatchalian said.
Meanwhile, Abainza expressed gratitude to the DSWD Secretary for entering into a partnership with the youth-led organization.
“We are truly grateful to DSWD, led by Secretary Rex Gatchalian, who is also a trailblazer not just in local government but also in educated reforms, for this partnership to bring science closer to our fellow Filipino children and youth in DSWD’s child care facilities,” Abainza said.
He said the partnership is aligned with their vision to bring science closer to every Filipino child.
“Because for us, science is, and should always be, for all. Regardless of who we are, a little scientist is waiting to be tapped in each and every one of us,” he added.
Witnessing the MOA signing were Undersecretary for Operations Monina Josefina Romualdez, Director Kaye Sacapaño of the Center Development Office, and Nayon ng Kabataan Center head Helen Pereyra.
Youth leaders of the ScienceKonek were also present as well as their Adviser Quin Antonio Cruz. (PNA)