Visayan Forum Foundation Inc.

Bantay Bata sa Komunidad
Child Laborers and Advocates for Social Participation

BANTAY BATA SA KOMUNIDAD
Name of Organization	Bantay Bata sa Komunidad
Date Organized	May 1995
Area of Coverage	Paco & Pandacan Barangays : Ilang -ilang , Dapo, Kahilom, Carlos, Banana, Obeses, Sampaguita,
By laws/ policies / guidelines	Approved by BBK General Assembly last April 2002
Nature of the Organization	Launched by the Visayan Forum Foundation, Inc., the Bantay Bata sa Komunidad ( BBK) serves as the first line of defense against child abuse in the community because its leaders can directly intervene in behalf of the children.
Policies and Guidelines for Members	Working/street children or advocates can join the organization provided they are living in the covered areas of Paco and Pandacan, Manila. Members should undergo : BBK and VF Orientation, processing seminar ( TWEEPS) , leadership training seminar (RETWEEPS) and other training needed by the them. Members should actively participate in all BBK activities. Members have the responsibility to help in the growth and development of the organization by encouraging non-members to join in.
Officers	Executive Officers of Youth Councils Chairperson: Tom-Tom De La Cruz Secretary General: Katrina Antillon Treasurer: Reymund Ando Executive Officers of Kids Councils Chairperson: Jennilyn Buhayo Secretary General: Camille Trinidad Treasurer: Lean Maguddatu
No. of Active Members :	2,340 working children and advocates
Thrust and Organizational Direction :	The major thrusts of BBK are the following : Encourage particpation of children themselves and parents; Organize sportsfest , field trips, youth camps to broaden the learning sphere of processed children; Conduct regular values formation and trainings; Participate to activities related to the issues of child labor, child abuse, child's rights, etc.
Children's issue covered	Child labor, child trafficking , child abuse and promoting child rights.

CHILD LABORERS AND ADVOCATES FOR SOCIAL PARTICIPATION

History

Child Laborers and Advocates for Social Participation (CLASP) is a nationwide organization composed of child laborers and youth advocates involved in the issues of child labor and children's rights. Founded in 1998, the organization was formed through the initiative of a group of child core marchers who participated in the Global March Against Child Labor held last March 1997. CLASP is the Filipino youth's response to the Global March. CLASP also acts as an umbrella organization or network of various NGOs in the country that cater to children's rights.

Programs

CLASP works for the empowerment of children in society by actively participating in actions and programs concerning children. It is the empowerment of children by children. The organization coordinates and takes part in child labor campaigns in order to increase public awareness on the issue.

CLASP, anchored on the Convention on the Rights of the Child, pushes for the protection of children's rights. The organization takes part in lobbying efforts for the enactment of laws that cater to children. The organization also facilitates and participates in consultative assemblies on issues related to children.

CLASP conducts capacity-building workshops for child laborers where they are updated on the current issues concerning children's rights and child labor and are given basic skills training. CLASP believes that through the workshops, the organization would be able to produce knowledgeable, skilled members that would make effective advocates.

The organization also releases a regular newsletter to keep in touch with its members and to raise awareness among the public on the issue. CLASP has already crossed national boundaries to participate in various international activities relevant to the promotion of children's rights.

Building Advocates and Children's Organizations