Youth for Nature Launches Pilot School for Project Implementation

In the hopes of inspiring young leaders to dream more, learn more and do more for Tawi-Tawi's environment, Youth for Nature has sealed an agreement with Notre Dame of Bongao to be its pilot school for the Project.

Terri Gonzales, Community Solutions Program Leader and Notre Dame's Directress and Principal Sister Maria Diane Fe T. Gillesania, OND met on January 8th 2013 and agreed to have an environmental project relating to the involvement and participation of the students from 7th and 8th Grades.  Sister Diana expressed interest in having an in-campus interactive activity wherein the students can learn how to reduce waste, recycle and reuse those that can still be saved and for the students to actively involve themselves in disseminating the knowledge and information to their homes and respective communities off campus.

Twenty-five (25) student leaders will form part of the core group who will undergo a capacity-building training and workshop on Volunteerism, Personal Leadership, Advocacy, Effective Communication and Team Building, as well as a separate workshop on innovative and interactive Information and Education Campaigns (IEC) methods on environmental conservation including a session on zero-waste project.  It will be held on February 25th and 26th with the help of Notre Dame Alumni Association.  The training and workshop will be a joint effort of Notre Dame Faculty, Alumni and friends and supporters of the CSP Leader.  

The Core Group will thereafter organize Youth for Nature within the school campus and encourage as many members to help them plan out their "Pay-it-Forward" Action Plan.
Terri is currently in talks with other schools in Bongao, capital town of Tawi-Tawi Province in the Philippines, for a possible collaboration for the implementation of this Project.