PH volunteer org wins top ASEAN youth award

This is a press release from GVSP Philippines

MANILA, Philippines – The Gualandi Volunteer Service Programme (GVSP) Philippines was given recognition by the ASEAN countries through  the 9^th Ten Accomplished Youth Organization (TAYO) ASEAN awards on Wednesday, October 8, 2014. The award was personally handed by Brunei’s Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, YB Pehin Dato HjHazair at the Tarindak d’ Polo, Royal Brunie polo and Riding Club in Jerung, Bandar Seri Begawan.

GVSP was specially nominated by the National Youth Commission to represent the Philippines in this prestigious international awarding event to present its innovative programme called the Break The Silence Network Project (BTS). The BTS project aims to increase the awareness of Deaf children and women against sexual abuse and exploitation. 

One in every three deaf women in the Philippines have been raped in a case study conducted by the Philippine Deaf Resource Center. This disturbing statistic led GVSP to launch the project with the aim to train Deaf volunteers as facilitators to empower Deaf children and also empower government agencies and service providers and specially the hearing community to learn  the culture of the Deaf and learn how to communicate with the Deaf members in the society.

BTS aims to create a network of like-minded organizations who are able to share success stories, innovative ideas and best practices and become a creative force is addressing child sexual abuse prevention that will benefit the Deaf community

GVSP uses three animated films that talk about child sexual abuse, incest and human trafficking in Filipino sign language to ensure that Deaf children understand and respond to the trainings given.

One of the success story of this project was the story of Janice Aparri, 29, Deaf and a survivor herself. She has been actively helping other Deaf survivors fight their day in court by being a facilitator and currently one of the best court Deaf-relay interpreter assisting cases involving Deaf children and women. 

GVSP was also recipient to the 11^th TAYO awards and The Jesse Robredo Youth and Local Governance Award last February 6, 2014, held at the Heroes Hall, Malacanang Palace In Manila, Philippines.

Brunei Darussalam was host to the 20^th ASEAN Youth Day Meeting and the 9^th TAYO ASEAN Award with the theme: “Youth as an Agent of Change Towards Development of Community and World Peace.” Held at Bandar Seri Begaman last October 8-10,2014  – Rappler.com