SK Officials, Here are Project Suggestions

Nobody should underestimate the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) — the barangay youth council — can have on the next generation of youth. Throughout their term, these elected officials and their projects can impact young Filipinos and shape their way of thinking. Based on their projects and what they stand for, SK members can help engage the youth with their community and even teach them accountability and responsibility as budding adults. So if you’re a newly-elected SK official, the Internet is rife with suggestions on how you can build a better community during your term. Here are a few ideas on what projects SK officials can do:

Educational seminars

Put that barangay hall to good use! Elected officials could organize educational seminars and workshops on relevant topics such as career planning, financial literacy, mental health, suicide and depression, being responsible social media users, etc. They could even invite volunteers who are knowledgeable about the topic or partner with non-government organizations.

Actually helpful workshops

Making rugs and candles is cool and all, but it’s about time SK officials stepped up their game and provided more skills training and workshops to help their youth develop more marketable skills. Teach young folks to be entrepreneurs in their own right. Not everyone wants to land a 9 to 5 job at a business district, after all. In organizing workshops like these, officials can even teach young Filipinos to start dreaming of owning businesses which, in turn, will benefit the economy in the future.

Scholarship grants

Many Filipinos are victims of poverty, which can get in the way of their education. Kids who want to learn are either stuck at home or have to help their parents earn money as soon as they can walk. Officials can help them continue their education through scholarship grants. They can reach out to companies, write letters of recommendation, and solicit money, all so students can continue going to school.

Part-time jobs

Young Filipinos don’t only need help in continuing their education, they also need a helping hand when it comes to job hunting. Wouldn’t it be a great project to help these young folks sign up for long-term part-time jobs? The type of jobs they could juggle with their studies if they needed to. Officials can partner with government offices or private companies and help those interested in applying for the job.

Sports and recreation

As much as everyone loves basketball, it’s about time officials give the same amount of love to other sports. How about a liga for volleyball? Or a Friday night badminton tournament at the covered court? Even something as simple as chess would be a welcome activity for the barangay. It doesn’t have to be about a sport either. Officials could still promote physical fitness and healthy living through exercise programs and, yes, even Zumba for those who are fans of the fitness program.

Healthcare in the Philippines could get expensive but SK officials could provide residents with basic needs such as free medical and dental check-ups for the youth. Call up a clinic, a hospital, or an NGO to partner with. They could even organize the usual blood donation drives and other health-related activities.

Environment

Officials could double down on educating everyone in their barangay about environmental issues and how to protect the environment. We might not be able to fully heal the planet we’re living in, but we can slow down the damage we’re inflicting on it. Promote sustainable practices among the youth, implement proper waste collection, or even organize tree-planting and clean-up drives.

Community development

Officials could also engage the youth in leading several community service projects. Get creative! It could be organizing a mural painting on one of the bare walls in the barangay, holding a weekend wet market or “talipapa” for the residents, or even offering to tutor kids on weekdays. These are the types of projects that will help engage the youth in helping out with their community!