From August 7 to 20, 2024, the ASEAN Foundation and Maybank Foundation-sponsored “eMpowering Youths Across ASEAN” (EYAA) program entrusted edtech social enterprise WASH-Ed to host youth volunteers from across ASEAN and implement the CalWASH 2.0 program with its local project partners, Caloocan Young Leaders Initiative (CYLI) and Masy Consultants, in Caloocan City.
The CalWASH 2.0 program
CalWASH 2.0 is a continuation of the 2023 WASH-Ed program where regional youth volunteers familiarized themselves with the challenges that many Filipinos face in terms of water, sanitation, and hygiene. They would then receive facilitator training in order to support educators in tackling life-changing barriers. This year’s training included an educational tour of technical knowledge at the Maynilad La Mesa Water Treatment Plant, community discussions with the Department of Education – Schools Division Office of Caloocan City, and a series of workshops.
Last year’s CalWASH 1.0 program engaged 21 educators from seven elementary schools in North Caloocan City. They underwent capacity-building to effectively teach good WASH practices to approximately 22,000 learners. This year, the program expanded to cover South Caloocan City, including high schools.
56 teachers from 29 schools attended the WASH-Ed training sessions, which were mainly facilitated by the EYAA youth volunteers. They covered key topics such as water sources and availability, water safety, water sustainability and climate change, sanitation, hand hygiene, and disinfection. Educators also received nudge kits with hygienic and cleaning materials to aid in maintaining public in-school facilities. As a token of appreciation to the host school, the volunteers painted a colorful mural, serving as a reminder of lessons from the campaign.
WASH-Ed and SK
On August 19, 35 Sangguniang Kabataan youth leaders and officials from different barangays in Caloocan City joined in a special community event at the Amparo Nature Park in Brgy. 179, with the aim of creating and actualizing more accessible programs and policies that tackle WASH-related challenges in communities. Youth leaders and event attendees learned about the United Nations’ SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, and how local communities are working to achieve the goal, especially in relation to sexual health and hygiene and the challenges that educators face when teaching WASH to youth. It also highlighted how the youth can play a role in solving community problems.
The program received support from the City Council and the Office of the Vice-Mayor of Caloocan City. Caloocan District 3 Councilor Onet Henson expressed her appreciation for programs like WASH-Ed that create opportunities for young people to create change in their communities. “As the Sangguniang Kabataan officials, you should consider sustainable programs like WASH-Ed and HIV Seminars as part of your Community Programs […] as their role models, it will inevitably encourage [the youth of Caloocan] to be productive and become acquainted into the different facets of SDGs in Caloocan and beyond,” said Henson in her keynote speech.
“It is your duty as Sangguniang Kabataan officials to focus on promoting sustainable projects and not only adhere to the [traditional] SKs’ projects that focus on recreational activities and beauty pageantries. With this, you will establish a strong sense of leadership in empowering the youth’s spirit in advocacy and nation building.”—Press release via Caloocan Young Leaders Initiative/MF
