Professor Henry Daut of the Mindanao State University-Marawi Campus is currently on the field doing census as to how many kids are there in the evacuation centers.
Of course, we all know of the Maute Group’s attack that led to the displacement of civilians and to the declaration of Martial Law in Mindanao but these incidents have not deterred Prof.Daut to continue his Sports For Peace in Mindanao work.
With the help of the Philippine Sports Commission whose chairman is from Mindanao, William “Butch” Ramirez, Prof.Daut is planning to hold a Children’s Games, in a small scale for the meantime, which is very noble of him and the PSC to do in these very challenging times.
This is the reason why we hate wars because civilians are the first to be affected, specifically children.
I remember an emotional Chairman Ramirez delivering a speech during the first Mindanao Children’s Games, organized in cooperation with Fr. Romeo Saniel, OMI of Notre Dame, because has personally listened to the sad experiences of the children affected by conflicts. One kid shared how she ran and ran without clear direction, barefooted, when the bombing started and the earth was shaking. Oh Dearie, that was traumatic for a kid!
As children, you see, all they have to do is to obey their parents, go to school and play, yes, even play a lot.
However, conflicts, these damn conflicts in Mindanao have brought traumatic experiences to the young.
How I wish the conflicts in Mindanao will soon be over for this is a huge injustice to the children of Mindanao. They don’t deserve this!
We wish Prof.Daut and his team of sports therapists success as they craft and soon to implement the sports therapy project for the kids at the evacuation centers.
I hope Prof.Daut and the PSC will also find big-time corporate sponsors to augment their funds. A little share of financial help and equipment from our millionaires and billionaires would be greatly appreciated.
Prof. Daut and Chairman Ramirez are very easy to find. Just call the PSC office or visit their Facebook page. Cheers!
