CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY (PIA)--The Out-of-School Youth Development Alliance (OSYDA) of Cagayan de Oro City, a group organized in an aim of improving lives of out-of-school youth, recently conducted its year-end assessment for 2021 programs as well as planned the projects and activities for the current year.

SK Federation President and Committee on Youth and Sports Chair, Councilor John Michael L. Seno said the Yearend Assessment and Planning Workshop is mainly organized to give a common venue to discuss government activities, programs, and projects for the out-of-school youth. He hoped that the original and extended members of the alliance will have the same commitment they have from the start despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

USAID Opportunity 2.0 Youth Education and Skills Development Program Specialist Dr. Miriam Pahm reoriented everyone present in the activity about Positive Youth Development.

“Positive Youth Development engages youth along with their communities or governments sector. Youth are empowered to reach potential,” she said. PYD approaches build youth assets, foster healthy relationships, strengthen the environment, and transform systems.

Moreover, the gathering featured planning for upcoming activities and meeting schedules, presentations of the OSYDA strategic operational plan 2021 and review of accomplishment and 5 years strategic development plan outline and proposed content.

There are also workshops on committee functions viz performance on operational targets and organizational capacity and critiquing of the manual of operation and plenary sessions.

It is also during this event, which served as the 10th meeting of the alliance, that OSYDA’s logo was launched. The logo is formed in the figure of the bridge, representing the famous landmark of Cagayan de Oro City, the Ysalina bridge. The logo is in blue, yellow, and green bearing the text OSYDA Cagayan de Oro City. An emphasized letter “Y” can also be observed in the center of the logo which means “Youth,” the main subject behind the creation of OSYDA.

Inspired by the efforts of OSYDA, Councilor Suzette Magtajas-Daba of the Committee on Education said, “It is truly encouraging to see different government agencies and organizations working together to ensure that the out-of-school youth will get all the help they need to avail of every opportunity for their development.”

The rate of out-of-school youth in the country is growing. The task is enormous but thanks to OSYDA, CDO is moving ahead, she added. 

“Seeing and hearing about what has been accomplished in the past year and how far we have come is a great encouragement. It shows that no pandemic can stop us... It is also exciting to know of all the plans and programs for this coming year and how you are all set to face the challenges ahead,” Daba said.

The chairperson further shared that in her capacity as the Chairperson of the Committee on Education, she is affirming her full support to all the plans and programs of the alliance and all agencies closely working together to ensure a better future for the city’s out-of-school youth. 

“Like you, there is nothing more I want than to help them reach their full potential and there is nothing I will not do to provide the holistic growth and development they very much need. We are all in this together,” Daba said.

Daba encouraged the alliance to continue being a beacon of hope for the OSYs. As they bring education, health, and security to them, the alliance is also giving a better future to the youth and to the overall vision of everyone who are working relentlessly for improved lives for the city’s youth.

USAID Opportunity 2.0 Youth Technical Director Jhun Carual thanked everyone present during the event held in one of the hotels in the city for the time, commitment, and effort. He said the contributions made during the workshops and other activities held that day showed the efforts of the alliance in helping out-of-school youth have second chances in life. (IJBD/PIA-10)