Engaging young minds towards peaceful community

Molded by the challenges and struggles of being raised in a conflict-affected community, Samarudin Samsudin is now one of the most active youth leaders in Mamasapano, Maguindanao and a role model to the youths in his community. 

Samarudin started volunteering when he was just a Grade 7 student, which was when the conflict startled their community after the Mamasapano clash between SAF and suspected BIFF. At that time, very few youths were interested in volunteering services. Most of them were focused on helping their parents earn income, while some of them were busy studying, in hopes of a better future in a community full of uncertainties. This has something to do with the traditional belief of just letting the elders settle and decide for their community. 

Eager to help build peace and development in his community, Sam believes that “kung alam mong may magagawa ka at kaya mo rin naman, you have to take actions rather than just planning on it, you have to impart your time, and be part of the solution than becoming part of the problem.”

To continue strengthening his advocacy, Sam joined the S’bang Ka Maguindanao as a community patroller. For him, being part of the program has allowed him to amplify the different voices in his community so that the duty bearers can hear them. While volunteering for the program, he got to know more about the most pressing issues in their community, and was able to share inspiring stories that the listeners can reflect on. Some of the outputs that Sam had shared to the program includes the situation of the evacuees in Mamasapano, after a series of exchange of fires between armed groups and the Philippine military. “Naging mas maalam ako, natutunan ko ang importansya ng pagiging Patroller ko. Hindi lang pagbibigay ng balita o kwento, kundi nagsisilbi ding tulay ng pagkakaunawaan.”

Child Peace Movement Council is an organization led by Sam along with his fellow youths from their barangay. The organization’s primary advocacy is to promote child rights, child participation, and protection. They visit remote communities in Mamasapano and conduct family sessions to promote child rights. This is Sam’s way to help them enhance their community participation as youth members of their community. 

Despite the long and cyclical struggles in their community, Sam continues his advocacies as he hopes to have a healthy and happy family living in a peaceful community. ##