Ako Mismo: Pushing for a socially responsible youth
Some Ako Mismo volunteers.To initiate a positive change in society, the youth has to learn to help others without being asked. This is the purpose of “Ako Mismo”, an advocacy launched in Iloilo City recently. The launching at the Provincial Capitol Grounds consisted of different activities that enjoined the cooperation of the youth. There were 100 youth volunteers who said “ako mismo” in building Gawad Kalinga houses in Sooc, Arevalo, helped in the medical and dental mission, voters education, micro entrepreneur workshop for homemakers, wall climbing, henna and face painting, charity and fundraisers booth and the concert featuring Iloilo bands.
Students of the USA College of Pharmacy and Medical Technology.According to Cheryll Selda, network and membership coordinator for Iloilo, “‘Ako Mismo’ is a non-political and non-profit social advocacy network wherein we call upon the youth to act. This launching is the second phase of the advocacy. The first was the television commercials designed to get everyone interested. It tells us ‘ako mismo mag-volunteer, ako mismo gagawa nga bahay and ako mismo ang tuturo sa iba.’ It was Smart and PLDT that sponsored these commercials. The second phase is a cooperation between different organizations like Gawad Kalinga, JCI Ilang-Ilang, Philippine National Red Cross, to name a few. This is a vehicle that united organizations. We want to create social awareness. We want people to immerse themselves in helping others.”
