Last month, Goducate Laguna held a Student Leadership Program at Pangil, a municipality in Laguna. The one-and-a half-day event, held in partnership with Pangil’s Youth Organization, covered not only leadership training but also education about pre-marital sex and illegal drugs.
We believe that leadership training is important for students because they are the next generation that will be leading the nation.
The event was attended by 34 community people on the first day. On the second day there were 40 community people, some of whom had come from other communities. The community people were mainly teenagers attending elementary and secondary school.
Users of illegal drugs in the Philippines are getting younger and younger, and it is important that the students are made aware of how use of these drugs can destroy their futures and ruin their lives and families.
Pre-marital sex is also a worrying issue in the Philippines. Data collated by the Philippines Statistics Authority show that over a third of Filipinos aged 15-24 have engaged in pre-marital sex, and that most of them do not use any form of protection.
The sessions consisted of presentations and discussions. These were followed by recounting of stories of Marvel Comics wizards Nico and Tina, and playing games related to the topics of drug addiction and pre-marital sex. More small-group discussions ensued, during which the students shared their stories, problems and struggles.
