CAGAYAN de Oro City Mayor Rolando "Klarex" Uy recognized the pressing need to uplift the lives of the out-of-school youth in the city.
Understanding that they were particularly vulnerable to the dangers of illegal drugs and petty crimes, Mayor Uy launched a remarkable initiative.
"To combat these societal challenges and empower the youth, Mayor Uy's administration introduced a groundbreaking scholarship program," said City Mayor's Office chief of staff Shiela Lumbatan.
This program according to Lumbatan aimed to provide educational opportunities and economic stability to the out-of-school youth, giving them a chance to shape their futures.
"Under Mayor Klarex's dedicated leadership, this visionary program helped countless young individuals escape the clutches of illegal drugs and petty crimes," said Lumbatan.
The scholarship program was unique in its focus on the burgeoning coffee industry.
It offered specialized training in coffee roasting and espresso machine repair, equipping the participants with valuable skills that were in high demand.
The goal was not only to empower them to find gainful employment but also to foster a passion for the art of coffee, said Lumbatan.
Residents of Cagayan de Oro between the ages of 15 to 24, who were unemployed and had not enrolled in any educational institution in the past six months, were invited to apply.
The program covered all expenses, including tuition fees, a daily allowance, instructional materials, and access to state-of-the-art roasting and espresso machines.
To apply, interested individuals needed to provide a photocopy of their birth certificate and three 1x1 ID pictures.
They were directed to submit their documents to the Oro Youth Development Office.
To assist them in the application process, Mayor Uy's team also provided a contact number for further inquiries.
The scholarship opportunity was made possible through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Opportunity 2.0 Youth Scholarship initiative, stressed Lumbatan.
She said that this partnership ensured that the program would have the necessary resources and expertise to make a lasting impact on the out-of-school youth in Cagayan de Oro.
"Providing them with education, skills, and economic opportunities, transformed their lives and created a brighter future for providing community," said Lumbatan.
Mayor Uy's unwavering commitment to the welfare of the out-of-school youth, Cagayan de Oro became a shining example of how a community can come together to build a better society, she added.
