Unstoppable Youths Unite for an Unforgettable Experience

“The children are the hope of the country.” — José Rizal, a national hero of the Philippines, from his poem “To the Filipino Youth” 1879.

When 115 youths and their Child Champions from different Hope Centers came together at a powerful event, they walked away with new memories, friendships and inspiration that nothing can keep them from reaching their goals.

The first-ever OneChild National Youth Congress in the Philippines, with the theme “Unstoppable,” happened Aug. 12 to 16, 2024, at the Rizal Re-Creation Center campsite in Laguna.

There was a sense of excitement and new discoveries at the event.

Organized by the staff in the Philippines, in collaboration with some Child Champions and youths, the National Youth Congress was conceived as part of OneChild’s Youth Engagement Strategy. The strategy gives Child Champions a platform to transform young people’s lives by providing opportunities for engagement and trainings so they will become successful and influential in their own communities. This national event gave the Child Champions and the youths a meaningful fellowship and a lot of learning opportunities.

New Experiences

With the country’s spread-out geography and cultural diversity, this event made it possible to bring the youths from different parts of the Philippines together in one place. For most of them, if not all, it was their first time traveling outside their towns. Riding an airplane for the first time was an exciting experience for them.

For most of the youth coming from the many islands that make up the Philippines, this was their first plane ride.

When the delegates got to the venue, they were amazed at how big and peaceful it was. Aside from being a relaxing place, it offered the youths activities like swimming, basketball, volleyball, football and a lot of outdoor facilities. They especially enjoyed the venue’s offerings on the fourth day of the congress, when they participated in team-building games.

New Friends

As the congress continued, the youths met new friends from different places. Surely, not even the differences in their dialects hindered them from getting along with one another.

Justin, 14, who was raised in a tribal community in the southern region, enjoyed meeting a new friend from another area. “I met him because we shared the same dorm. We shared shampoo when he did not have one. And at nighttime, since our beds faced each other, we talked all night,” says Justin.

Leofie, also 14, easily made a friend by bonding over favorite things. “I asked for his name and then his favorites. We got along well because we have things in common like favorite colors, food and drinks.”

Another congress highlight was the delicious and sumptuous food served at the venue. Food like pancakes, meatloaf, mashed potatoes, pasta and freshly baked breads were a delight for most of the youths. Living in hard places, these kids do not have the luxury to enjoy these kinds of food. What a blessing it was for them to have experienced this.

Equipped and Inspired

Aside from providing food and fun, the congress allowed the youths to hear from influential and sought-after youth speakers in the Philippines. Attendees learned about the message of the gospel, biblical worldview, the role of the youths in nation building, having a healthy self-image, choosing the right friends and understanding mental health.

During these sessions, they engaged in focus group discussions and team activities. They also expressed their reflections in creative ways like writing poems and songs, painting and drawing. The speakers also invited them to ask questions on topics discussed, which created an avenue for them to be heard.

Speaker Micah Abalos holds the mic for a young man answering her questions.

Another highlight of this event was the session called “Fashionately Purposive,” when the room became a runway for the youths to introduce and dress for their dream professions. As they walked and struck poses, they said things like, “I want to become a teacher”; “Someday, I will become an engineer”; “My dream is to become a pastor”; “I want to become a policeman”; “I want to become a doctor someday”; and, “My dream is to become a flight attendant.”

Youths wearing fashions that show the careers they want to work toward.

It was like a prophetic activity in which dreams were uttered proudly. At the end of it, the Child Champions prayed for them and celebrated their dreams with popping confetti. It was fun and a memorable event.

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More to Come

On the last day, the OneChild Philippine office, led by Country Director Manette Cosico, officially installed the first National Youth Leaders, composed of 11 elected youth representatives from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao Hope Centers.

The National Youth Leaders in traditional clothing, flanked by OneChild leaders.

Their roles are important in shaping and implementing the youth programs and activities in the Hope Centers with the help of their Child Champions. And with the support of OneChild, the Youth Engagement Strategy will be more exciting and engaging.

“This congress is just the start,” Manette says, hinting that there will be more in store for the youths.

The National Youth Congress may have lasted for only five days, but it will surely create ripples of hope in the children, their families and their communities — a core memory for the young people indeed.

Thanks to our global community of Child Champions, who continue to selflessly support these children in hard places. They made this event possible.

Partnership Advisor and Youth Engagement Strategy lead Rhea Juson says one simple phrase can sum up the stories of transformation she heard from youths during the congress: “There is hope.”

The youths have so much potential and skills to become unstoppable because God is an unstoppable God, and this congress confirmed it.

Youth from the first OneChild National Youth Congress, Philippines, are “Unstoppable.”

Help a waiting youth discover their God-given potential when you sponsor an older child today!