by KZ Lyn Razon
“Usbong Kabataan” started during the pandemic when Drew, a 14-year-old community leader, wanted to share his blessings with children in street situations in Trece Martires City, Cavite.
Guided by his parents, he roamed around handing out hot meals. Inspired by his efforts, his schoolmates, neighbors, and even the local government joined in.
What began as a personal initiative led to the creation of Usbong Kabataan, a child-led organization driven by compassion and the belief that children can create meaningful change in their communities.
Four years since its founding, Usbong Kabataan has grown into a 20-member group. According to Drew, the group is built on the belief that even small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect, encouraging others to give and help children achieve a safer and brighter future.
Their journey with Save the Children began when they partnered with the Protect Children Philippines project to address the issues of Online Sexual Abuse or Exploitation of Children (OSAEC) and Child Sexual Abuse or Exploitation Materials (CSAEM) in the province of Cavite.
The urgency is underscored by data from the Department of Social Welfare and Development Region IV-A, which reports that Cavite recorded over 40 cases of OSAEC from 2019 to 2023—one of the highest totals in the region.
With the support of the project, they are now conducting community-based learning sessions focused on child rights, protection, and the prevention of OSAEC and CSAEM.
“We consider our partnership with Save the Children a lifelong achievement and feel a strong connection with them. We are now confident in facilitating learning sessions while also ensuring safe spaces for everyone,” Drew said.
Guided by the principles of the best interests of the child and children's evolving capacities, the project has been partnering with child-led organizations to promote protective behaviors within their communities.
Usbong Kabataan believes that child abuse is never right and that no one, not even parents, should coerce a child into something they don’t want—it should always be reported to the authorities.
They aim to be the voice of children in their city, advocating for the full implementation of Republic Act 11930, or the Anti-OSAEC and Anti-CSAEM Act. They also aspire for their city to set an example for the country in raising awareness about OSAEC and CSAEM.
For Drew, the government should “bridge the generational gap between children and their parents, educate parents on the proper use of technology, and ensure that change starts at home.”
You can help support more children like Drew and Usbong Kabataan in creating safer spaces donate today at https://donate.savethechildren.org.ph/