This article by Ivy Cabatingan appeared in the local newspaper describing the DBYC leader Buboy and his travels abroad to Germany:
"In a world of standards, it is refreshing to know that you don't have to be somebody to make a difference. All you need is to take a stand and inspire. If Buboy can do it, what's stopping us?
In today's massive world population, only forty were chosen to represent the youth of the entire world in the International Youth Camp to be held in the city of Bonn in Germany from Jan. 13 to 25, 2011: Ten Germany youth, fifteen from selected European countries and only ten from the rest of the world. Two of them are Pinoys, only one of them is Buboy.
Emmanuel Barwado, or 'Buboy' to his peers, is a youth leader of Don Bosco Youth Center in Pasil - a place considered by many to be one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the city. While drugs and crime run rampant in the streets of Pasil, Buboy sets a prime example of how one person can break free from the cycle, and be a role model for the whole community. He will be attending the International Youth Congress with another Salesian scholar, Mae Kristine Goopio from Don Bosco Youth Center in Dahican, Mati, Davao Oriental.
This will be the second international youth activity that Buboy will be joining. Last 2008, he was among the three delegates of the Cebu South Province to join the World Youth Day in Australia.
Buboy was just nine years old when he first entered the Don Bosco Youth Center in Pasil after his sister invited him to join her. Coming from a broken family, he had just moved to Cebu from Bulacan after their parents separated while his sister grew up in Pasil with their paternal grandmother. Instead of taking to the vices of the streets like many out-of-school youth, he frequented the youth center to play with the other children until he found himself a member of one of the center's youth clubs, the Knights of the Altar (KOA).
The club was a group of young boys who served as altar boys or sacristan during masses held in the Pasil Parish Church. Then he became an active member of the DBYC-Pasil and from there he helped organize and led various clubs catering to the different talents of the youth of Pasil.
The conference itself is in line with the UN Year of Youth 2010, proclaimed on Aug. 12, 2010. Its goal is the development of a deep global awareness, promotion of understanding among young people long term and provide an opportunity for personality development and communication. It intends to support a viable and sustainable global development and promote international cooperation among young people and encourage the exchange of intercultural experience.
The young leaders will be given the opportunity to present their issues, concerns and vision at the Don Bosco Forum to a wide audience. The forum annually covers various issues of the international youth with the participation of at least 300 delegates, supporters and decision makers of the German development aid.
At present Buboy is working at the Don Bosco Technological Center-Labangon as an instructor for the out-of-school youth who are there to learn various technical skills of their choice as a means to gain decent employment.
He should serve as an inspiration for all Cebuanos, especially the youth; that no matter who you are and no matter where you come from, you can make a difference in your own way."
To this article and more from the local newspaper click here: http://www.philstar.com/Article
"My world-one world" - youth conferene in Bonn/Germany
Between 18 and 23 January about 30 young people from over 10 different countries were in Bonn, Germany, to take part in an International Youth Conference “My world-one world”.
To this article and more from the local newspaper click here: http://www.philstar.com/Article
"My world-one world" - youth conferene in Bonn/Germany
Between 18 and 23 January about 30 young people from over 10 different countries were in Bonn, Germany, to take part in an International Youth Conference “My world-one world”.
The conference was the final event of a one year partnership of the Salesian NGO JUGEND DRITTE WELT and the city of Bonn. It was sponsored by the city and the “Foundation for International Dialogue of the Saving Bank in Bonn” and got support from Don Bosco Youth Net.
The young participants were all dedicated to different social activities mainly in Don Bosco projects all over the world. For one week they had a chance to get to know each other, to exchange ideas, get a better insight into different cultures and to broaden their own intercultural awareness.
The timetable included among other things group dynamic games, discussions on values and beliefs or prejudices. At an intercultural evening those from each country were given the chance to present themselves, their culture, food and music. The city of Bonn was explored during a guided tour ending in a typical restaurant of Bonn. A totally new experience for most of the participants was Ice- Skating at “Bonn on Ice”.
During the week the thirty participants became a strong community, in spite of an age gap of twenty years between some of the participants or their totally different backgrounds. These were easily overcome showing that in the end we are “One World!”
This was one of the messages given at the Don Bosco Forum on 22nd January at which the participants presented their results of the week to the audience.
To view the full article click here: http://www.donboscoyouth.net/node/698