Sino Ako? Why we must unite now!

Christians in the Philippines like in many countries move independently of each other. Many have successful projects within their grounds that others do not know or have no access to it. If Christians unite and consolidate efforts to empower the youth, together, we can help shape this country with better students who excel and are rooted in good morals and values.

The timing is relevant as statistics give us an alarming rate of drug abuse, suicide, and leap in HIV/AIDS cases among High School students. It is the critical hour.

SUICIDE 

In 2014, the US-CDC reported suicide as the second leading cause of death, among teenagers from 13 to 18 years old. Those in High School are the most vulnerable. While the Philippines may not share the same statistics, undocumented reports of suicide cases are steadily rising.

Cyberbullying is also a growing threat among the youth that resulted to suicide. A recent online game challenge “Blue Whale”, led to several suicides. Teens are exposed to this threat each time they go online.

HIV/AIDS

In 2008, only 1 person was getting infected daily. This jumped to 17 per day in 2014 and 25 as of 2016. (2016, DOH)

HIV STATISTICS 2016

● 97% are male
● Heterosexual contact 20%
● Homosexual contact 80%
● Bisexual contact 35%
● Ages 15 to 24 years old (Grade 9 to college)
● 25 HIV infections daily
● Cases are getting younger

The Department of Health is now actively pushing DepEd to distribute condoms in High School because of the alarming rise in infection. Our millennials are dubbed as the “HIV Generation.” As of January 2017, 29 new cases of HIV are recorded every day.About 82% of them are “men having sex with men” from 15 to 24 years old. Someone you dearly love could be next.

AS OF JANUARY 2017, 29 NEW CASES OF HIV ARE RECORDED EVERY DAY.

DRUG REHABILITATION

Drug abuse has become endemic in our society. The war against it should not only be a government initiative. Loving Christians equipped with Biblical foundation can best minister to them.It should inspire believers to know that the Philippine government has taken a bold step in introducing “Faith-Based Programs,” authored by Evangelical Christians, to accomplish the task of eliminating the drug problem in the country.

SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE

In the US, 88% of teens have access to cell or smartphones. About 90% of them use SMS or messenger apps to communicate, according to Pew Research. Their landscape of communication is shifting.

What this means is that much of the information they absorb daily mostly comes from the internet. This is not bad, but what should worry parents is what other information they can access by demand, and in the privacy of their room. Satan dominates the internet through music, video games, and vanity.Social media is shaping the character and attitude of the millennials but towards the negative. We can help counter this by educating students and their parents on what measures they can take to disarm the effects of “bad social media.”

#SinoAko, a project of John15.Rocks aim to help through social media campaign and organize other Christian organizations to reach out and help. Join us and volunteer online.