COTABATO CITY – An officer of the TITAYAN: The Bridges of Youth shared their organization’s different efforts in youth empowerment and community peacebuilding for the vulnerable youths in Maguindanao, Thursday, May 26.
During the Bangsamoro YoutHours’ 21st episode, Ridha Ebrahim, president of the TITAYAN: The Bridges of Youth, said the organization’s advocacy centered on providing programs and services that help empower the youth to become change-makers and peace advocates in the community.
Included in the programs are radio broadcasting which pursuits to amplify the untold stories of the youth within their communities, mapping of the Out-of-school Youths (OSYs) to prevent the recruitment to violent extremist groups by providing them different trainings which involve peace camps, community engagements, and along with other activities aiming at alleviating their situation.
TITYAN also conducts faith-based activities such as distribution of free iftar, series of lectures and community symposium, among others. Moreover, the organization is part of a Community Peace Monitor tasked to gather information concerning individuals who are affected by the conflict, and refer them to concerned institutions to address the said concern.
Meanwhile, Ebrahim also encouraged the youth who are not involved yet in any organizations to engage themselves as their efforts make significant impact in sustaining the gains of peace process. “Makilahok tayo sa pamamagitan ng pagpasok sa mga youth organization,” Ebrahim said. “Ugaliin nating makinig sa ating mga leaders at ‘ulama. Makilahok po tayo sa mga pangyayari sa ating komunidad.
Maaring may mga natutunan tayo mula sa silid-aralan, ngunit ang pakikibaka sa iba’t ibang pangyayari sa ground ay mas matutulungan pa tayo nitong unawain ang ating estado, Ebrahim added.
By joining youth organizations, the youth, according to Ebrahim, will be able to share their thoughts and perspectives without fear or reservations. “Matutulungan rin tayo nitong ma-develop ang ating mga sarili sa pamamagitan ng mga oportunidad na magiging parte ng ating karanasan,” Ebrahim added.
TITAYAN, a Maguindanaoan term which literally means “bridge”, is a newly founded youth organization in June 2021 that operates in the towns of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Datu Salibo, and Datu Unsay, in Maguindanao. It is a coalition of youth leaders coming from the above-mentioned towns who share with common goals.
Bangsamoro YoutHours streams every Thursday, 4 PM to 5PM at the Facebook pages of Bangsamoro Youth Commission and Bangsamoro Media Productions and airs at DXAE FM 99.7 MHz radio station in Cotabato City. (BYC PR Unit)
