From Bystander to a Leader

(An excerpt from the Plan Philippines Milestones 2005) Eden Dangcalan, TO-RPD Southern Leyte Program Unit

The People of Poblacion in Liloan, Southern Leyte thought Archie would remain the happy-go-lucky guy throughout his entire life. He was among the bystanders in the village hanging around when Plan started its work there in 1998.

In the late '90s, Liloan was identified to have a high rate of adolescent drug users. Plan staff then conscientiously immersed with parents and children in the villages conducting awareness-raising activities about the rights and responsibilities of children and on the importance of children's participation, Capability building activities were facilitated with the children and youth.

Archimedes Irlandez, fondly called "Archie", eldest in the family of five, began participating in community activities when then Liloan Poject Officer Baltz Tribunalo, invited him to attend a forum of the Barangay Council for the Protection of Children (BCPC). Baltz saw Archie's potential and encouraged him to participate in more trainings to develop his skills in organizing and facilitation.

True enough, Archie proved his worth and months later, he became actively involved in childern's organizing and facilitation during family days and "Bisita Kabataan" (village visitation for children and youth). Archie's leadership qualities was further developed when he was elected president of Teatro Kabataan sa Southern Leyte (Southern Leyte Children's Theatre) in 2001. Teatro Kabataan was initially composed of 96 members, from Plan-covered communities  and schools.

Archie did not finished first year in the BS Computer Science course, however, he continues to dream that someday, success would come knocking on his doorstep. Having found a new sense of self-worth in what he was doing, he eventually became a sponsorship volunteer and an organizer of children's associations.

Archie's fellow OSYs were soon influenced, and joined the personality development and leadership training activities, diverting their attention and fascination from drugs. The active support and participation of parents and the Local Government Unit of Liloan contributed to this significant change.

In 2003, Plan in partnership with education for Life Foundation (ELF) initiated the Grassroots Leadership Training Course. With his keen interest, Archie graduated from the training and became one of the 10 Grassroots Educators. As an advocate of children's rights and responsibilities, he was nominated and endorsed by Plan to participate in the exchange study program in LO-skolen in Helsingor, Denmark in 2004. This opportunity gave Archie another boost and upon his return, he served as event director for the renowned Wow Bata theater festival.

Today, Archie is the incumbent president of the Provincial Children and Youth Council (PCYC), a network of children and youth associations in Southern Leyte. He proudly shares that his formation and growth as a child leader did not just make him a dynamic community leader, but also empowered him to deliver the message of hope to children and OSYs in a creative and purpose-driven intention. "I grew as a person and it is my personal commitment to grow with other children and youth as active agent of change in our community" he said.

Looking  back, Archie has indeed grown since 1998- not only physically, but holistically as a person. Now at age 25, he continues his advocacy by ensuring that his learning redounds to his peer and to the younger children in the province. he currently manages his own small business and continues to be a resource person in leadership trainings. "I am hoping that second liners will also continue their efforts and commitment to be active community members and advocates of children's rights and responsibilities," Archie added.

Surely, with the inspiration that his examples emulate, more children, especially the OSYs will walk in the footsteps that he is leading.