2nd Gawad ACLAT (Anti-Child Labor Award for Teachers)

Recently, the Pag-Aaral ng Bata Para sa Kinabukasan ABK2 Initiative concluded its year long preparations for the 2nd Gawad ACLAT (Anti-Child Labor Award for Teachers). Conducted in partnership with the Department of Education, the Gawad ACLAT is a special recognition honoring teachers, adult para-teachers and little teachers who have made remarkable contributions in preventing and eliminating child labor through education. Recognition of Gawad ACLAT awardees coincides and supports with activities marking the celebration of World Day Against Child Labor starting last June 12.

I was lucky to be able to witness this through an invitation by World Vision PH and aside from that, I have always participated in Education Advocacies since my training from RAFI's Young Minds Academy. I was happy to have witnessed another integrated program from NGOs, NGA (National Government Agencies) and LGUs as well.

I was surprised when I met one of the Student "Little Teachers" Nominee - Clark Giovanni B. Guino-o who is a CNU - Cebu Normal University Student who clarified my identity since he apparently participated in the Talk that we conducted in CNU early this year! I was very surprised to have someone come up to me and that they learned something from my speaking engagement. Then, we chatted and talked about what he was doing now. His nomination is very much humbling to him and that he just wanted to volunteer and share what he knows to his fellow youth even without incentives; He together with others were little teachers taught students in Sudtungan Elementary school in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

About GAWAD ACLAT:

The Gawad ACLAT is awarded to those who have demonstrated exemplary services in bringing the child laborers back to school and helping these children finish education. Through recognizing and paying tribute to these different kinds of teachers, and their contributions, we hope to raise awareness and inspire more people to help in the advocacy against child labor.

About ABK2 Initiative:

The ABK2 Initiative is a four-year project fuinded by the US Department of Labor. It aims to contribute to the sustainable reduction of exploitive child labor in the Philippines through education, in sectors that represent the worst forms of child labor: sugarcane plantation/commercial agriculture, deep-sea fishing, domestic work, pyrotechnics, mining and quarrying, scavenging and commercial sexual exploitation of children. World Vision Development Foundation leads its implementation with project associates ChildFund Philippines and Educational Research and Development Assistance Foundation.