Former youth offender gets ‘best Christmas present’
After spending a year at the Dalayunan-Home for the Boys, Roberto (not his real name) received what can be considered as his best Christmas present – a livelihood project that will ensure him and his family a better future.
Armand Dayrit, one of the supporters of the Dalayunan-Home for the Boys, a reformatory center for children in conflict with the law (CICL), shared that Roberto was referred to the center when he was only 17 for theft.
After spending almost a year at the Dalayunan, he was sent to the Technical Education Skills and Development Authority (TESDA) for a practical training course on consumer electricity in preparation for his re-integration to the mainstream society.
After he completed the training course, he worked as an apprentice in an electric fan repair shop in Iloilo City.
His wish for Christmas was to open an electric fan and portable electrical machine workshop in his barangay, Dayrit said.
This month, the Beta Sigma Fraternity Philippines, a service oriented brotherhood of college students and professionals from the University of the Philippines, made Roberto’s dream come true.
They gave him hand tools and assisted him in putting up his own workshop.
“Christmas is a time to open our hearts to God and his gifts. Just like the rest of the year,” said Anthony Buyco, president of the fraternity.
Dayrit said Roberto should serve as inspiration to other children his age to become productive members of the society, instead of engaging in criminal acts.
He said he is willing to assist them and link them with kind-hearted individuals and organizations.
The Dalayunan-Home for the Boys is managed by the Iloilo Juvenile Welfare Foundation chaired by Rosalie Treñas, wife of Iloilo City Rep. Jerry Treñas.*PNA
