United States Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney walked into the rural school gymnasium in the village of Tinagacan, Mindanao, and cheering broke out from school children, parents and a group of proud youth graduates. It was the first time such an honorable guest was visiting the village that had once been ravaged by conflict.

 

For the citizens of Tinagacan, February 8, 2008, was a day of graduation and celebration. A group of 39 out-of-school youth had successfully completed and graduated from the KAPATID program: a community-based training course, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and managed by the International Youth Foundation though the Education and Employment Alliance (EEA) program.

 

The KAPATID program is training 150 rehabilitated juvenile offenders and other at-risk Filipino youth to become productive and self-sufficient citizens in three conflict-affected communities in General Santos City. Participants receive training in basic welding, small engine and automotive repair, math, reading, and life skills.