The destruction of Marawi has greatly affected the lives of the Maranaw people. It destroyed not just the city but also the lives of many leading to vulnerability of the underprivileged people especially the youth sector.
The PLAN International’s Marawi Response Project in partnership with Maranao People Development Center Incorporated (MARADECA) led the way in creating opportunities to address the vulnerability of the Internally Displaced People of Marawi focusing on livelihood, Social Cohesion and providing trainings to Farmers, Women and Youth.
Meet Jonaimah H. Dimnatang, 21 years old Internally Displaced Person from Bubong Madaya, Marawi City. The chairperson of Kalumbayan ko Masa Youth Organization, one of the Community Solidarity Group organized by MRP-MARADECA at Barangay Linuk Madalum, Lanao del Sur.
Jonaimah shared with us her life as an IDP and the challenges she encountered during the armed conflict. She was taking up Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and was supposed to Graduate within that school year right after her On the Job Training. “dahil sa takot ng mga magulang ko pinatigil nila akong mag-aral, that time na depress ako at nawalan ng pag-asa” is how she expressed her frustration as she felt so defeated by the trials she’s going through.
On 2018, the Kalumbayan ko Masa Youth Organization was then founded and that is when the young people of Linuk go beyond the impossible and made things possible. “May mga taga doon na mahiyain talaga, pero nung andoon na ang MARADECA- MRP natulungan talaga nila ung mga kabataan mag build ng confidence” she marked.
Series of Trainings had been given to the youth CSG of Linuk Madalum such as:
- Community Based Entrepreneurship Development training
- Facilitation Skills on Innovation Challenge
- Hands-on training on presentation and pitching mentoring
Jonaimah also founded the G-holllow Block project wherein they turn plastic garbage into hallow blocks as a response for climate action. They became one of the 5 finalists out of 30 youth organizations in the entire LAnao del Sur and competed for the Project Pitching during the YOUth Innovate Summit 2020 held at Cagayan de Oro City. “Be confident, magtiwala ka sa sarili mo. Mahalin mo ang ginagawa mo para magkaron ka ng passion. Kung may passion ka sa ginagawa mo ay siguradong makakatulong ka sa community”. Patience and Perseverance is all it takes in order to be empowered and become more resilient. “Nagpapasalamat ako sa MARADECA at sa MRP dahil kasama sa nahanap nila ang aming lugar na masali sa mga ganitong programa kung saan ni minsan ay hindi ko ina asahang mangyayari” is how she expressed her gratitude and appreciation.