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In early 1998, Team for KIDS became a member of CHAIN, and thereafter conceptualized and created a genuine child-friendly
advocacy action on the CRC and HIV/ AIDS. This, they say, simply means putting the best interest of a child, while bringing
out the creative ideas from among children and young people in order to express their views and sentiments regarding the issues
that confront them. This action gave birth to what is now known as the HIV/AIDS Youth Advocacy Package or HAYAP.
Reaching Farther and Wider
UNICEF supports Team for KIDS, through CHAIN - Philippines, whose members are NGOs and individuals who have in turn, gave
its all out support to the team. Today, trainers' training workshops are organized where TFK shares HAYAP with other children
and youth groups around the country. TFK works with bigger groups, such as the Red Cross Youth Council, the PAG-ASA Youth
Association, and the National Street Children Association. These three national groups each now have their own versions of
HAYAP which carry the same message as the TFK - original: Positive Lifestyle Promotion, for and by children and young people
through peer education.
TFK today also actively works with other government and non government organizations answering the call and responding
to the challenge of weaving in the CRC into Filipino children and young people's milieu.
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On HAYAP
HAYAP was first field-tested in three (3) elementary schools and one (1) urban poor community in Quezon City, Metro Manila
before reaching thousands of children under 15 in various schools and communities through what Team for KIDS call a school
and community tour.
HAYAP is essentially a youth initiated and created package of inter-connected activities aimed to reach children and young
people under fifteen years old.
HAYAP has two main features, 1) A storytelling session with and by the character LOLA CONSOLACION K where Lola Cion or
(Grandmother K) narrates the story of the CRC supported by a theatrical interpretation by two limbo characters onstage who
alternate as interactive animators and learning experience facilitators about children's inherent right to survival, development,
protection and participation; and 2) A puppet theatre adaptation of an original play, about the immune system and how it works
inside the human body. The adaptation idea where the characters in the original Mr. T (blood cells personified) this time,
takes a "super-hero" story line in the tradition of contemporary cartoons familiar to kids today. This makes information
more accessible where and when they can relate.
The package stresses the importance of the immune system (our super heroes) and how HIV can destroy this. The children
audience participate by shouting their commitment to help their Mr. T's thus, "We'll help you Mr. T".
While on tour, TFK installs an interactive exhibit that supports the story telling session and the puppet theater presentation.
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