2017 Fifteen Sama-Bajau participants from Brgy. Dalahican and Brgy. Barra in Lucena City, Quezon participated in the 3-day skills training on rug-making and beadworks last June 16 to 18 and June 29 to July 1, 2017.
The comprehensive program for Sama-Bajau under the Social Technology Unit in partnership with the Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP) developed series of skills training to equip the Sama-Bajau participants with practical knowledge and skills to develop their own micro-enterprises. This will enable them to have decent source of income so that they no longer need to beg for alms in the streets.
Nolima Rosali, one of the Sama-Bajau participants from Brgy. Barra is grateful to learn new skills that she can use for her own business.
“Kahit paano yung matututunan po namin ay magagamit namin sa paggawa (accessories and rugs), hindi na po talaga kami kailangang manglimos”, she shared.
For the beadworks, Bro. Clark Villanueva of Payatas Orione Foundation Inc. (PAOFI), a partner-civil society organization conducted the training.
“Hindi madali ang pagtuturo sa kanila, kailangan talaga step-by-step, nakatutok sa bawat isa. Pero nakita ko sa kanila na talagang pursigido silang matuto, kaya napakahalaga maturuan sila nang maayos”, Bro. Villanueva shared.
Moreover, Ms. Jhoana Nodora, Social Welfare Officer for the comprehensive program for Sama-Bajau explained the importance of these trainings to the participants.
“Imbis na kumuha o mag-angkat ang mga Sama-Bajau ng mga ibebenta nilang mga produkto, ngayon, sa pamamagitan ng ganitong training, sila na mismo ang gagawa ng bracelet o ibang mga products na maari nilang ibenta”, she shared.
For this year, aside from the beadworks and rug-making, other Sama-Bajau beneficiaries from the Batangas province will also receive trainings on Natural soapmaking, Liquid soap-making labelling workshop, scented and decorative candle-making.
Ms. Amy Colorico, head of the Social Technology Unit of DSWD IV-A is positive that the provision of skills training as part of the comprehensive program’s component, livelihood assistance will greatly help the Sama-Bajau to improve their welfare.
“We are trying to provide Sama-Bajau with wide-range of capacity building opportunities to ensure that they are equipped with necessary skills and materials to sustain their daily needs. Besides, that is the main goal of the program, to get them off the streets”, she added.
The Comprehensive Program for Sama-Bajau is a pilot social technology project in the region implemented in 2013. This aims for the social development of the Sama-Bajau through integrating community-driven strategies to ensure their inclusion in the planning, programming, and policy making in the local level and give them access to basic services.
At present, the program has 125 Sama-Bajau family-beneficiaries in Lucena City, Quezon Province.xxx