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It Pays To Make The Difference In The Lives Of Those In Need...
A Salesian Brother and the Marginalized Youth |
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What would I be now had it not for the program of Don Bosco for the out-of-school youth?" This is the most common question asked of those who have undergone the training in Machine Shop for the street teenagers of Caticlan, Victorias Milling Company where Don Bosco - Vicmico is located.
In 1979, Fr. Demetrio Carmona, SDB Rector of DB-Vicmico gathered ten street teenagers to undergo the Skills Training in Machine Shop. Bro. Elmer C. Rodriguez, SDB undergoing the practical training as a Salesian Brother was placed in-charge of the program.
Don Bosco - VICMICO became a home and a school for the marginalized youth where they learned technical skills training to be able to gain decent employment. The program focused on the development of the whole person with its human, social, moral values and attitudes with the employable knowledge and skills.
Bro. Elmer popularly known as "Macho" to street kids, stayed in DB-Vicmico from 1979-83 and during his stay there, "Macho" was able to graduate through the program 40 street kids all of them successful in their undertakings. The bonding that was developed was so strong that up to the present "Macho" is still being visited by his "Trainees".
In 1983-85, Bro. Elmer entered DB Paranaque for further studies for his Vocation and was involved in the Vocational Training of Don Bosco Training Centers in Tondo, Makati and Mandaluyong as a Trainor. For Bro. Elmer working for the marginalized is a fulfillment of his intentions in joining the Salesian Community in the mission for the young.
With a slogan " I can do all things in Him who strengthens me" Phil. 4:13, Bro. Elmer is now enjoying his 25th year as a Salesian Brother since his 1st Profession in 1977. Born on March 24, 1957 and is the 4th of the siblings of Mr. Pedro M. Rodriguez, Jr. a teacher and businessman by profession and Mrs. Felixberta C. Rodriguez, a teacher. The children of the Rodriguez couple are Ernesto, a businessman in Manila, Enrico and Edgar both businessmen in Cebu, Erlyn the only daughter, resides in the United States as a dentist and the youngest, Emilio also a businessman in Cebu.
Bro. Elmer graduated his elementary at Punta Princesa Elementary School. He entered the Don Bosco Technical High School Cebu City for his Secondary School education and graduated in 1974. In his high school days, Bro. Elmer received the Model Bosconian Award when he was in Second and Fourth Year. After graduation in 1974, he entered Don Bosco College Seminary -Canlubang.
"Without proper education, the cycle of poverty from one generation to the next will remain. The marginalized youth without education are doomed to a life of desperate poverty" this is what Bro. Elmer firmly believes. And in 1985, he was assigned as Technical Director of the Training Center in DB-Canlubang up to 1988 and was able to increase the population from 42 trainees to about 180 trainees when he left Canlubang.
In 1988, Bro. Elmer was assigned as Technical Director and was able to graduate about 480 trainees every year until 1993. It was during his stay in Don Bosco-Makati that the involvement of Bro. Elmer with the marginalized was extended to those out-of-school youth in need of special attention. Bro. Elmer calls those with special attention as "Ampon" or "Apo ni Don Bosco".
With the meager resources, Bro. Elmer was able to cater to about 40 "Ampons" or "Apos" every year during his stay in DB-Makati. Bro. Elmer facilitated for the food, boarding houses and other
ancillary needs of the "Ampons" with the support of kind-hearted individuals who believed in the mission of Don Bosco for the marginalized youth.
Bro. Elmer has always believed in the saying of Don Bosco; "if you touch the heart of the youth, you can lead and guide them to do anything for their good". Trusting on St. John Bosco's blessings, Bro. Elmer reaches out for the needy youth.
When he was assigned back to DB-Canlubang as Technical Director in 1993, he was instrumental in increasing the Training Center's population from 82 trainees to 400 trainees and it reached to a number of 600 to include youth under his special program. Running the training center in 3 shifts; morning, afternoon and evening he maintained the program until 1999 with about 70 "Ampon" every year. Bro. Elmer encouraged his former beneficiaries to help in sustaining the "Ampon" and they now happily support the current "Ampon" seeing themselves in the situation.
According to 1999 survey, about 65% of the out-of school youth with ages 15 to 24 have not completed high school and could no longer afford to return to formal school but should at least have an option of undergoing technical skills training with an avenue to alternative learning skills leading to accreditation and equivalency of a person.
Bro. Elmer is serious with his work because of the situation of the OSY that seems to be getting from bad to worst. It is the always within the framework of Bro. Elmer to make the difference for the good of the mission of Don Bosco towards marginalized youth in the society.
As he would always ask: What would become of a young boy or girl exposed to street life at the age of 14? What would their future be? What would they become in the society?
Since 1999 to present, Bro. Elmer has been assigned as the Technical Director of Manpower Skills Training Center, Don Bosco Technical Institute - Makati. With the enthusiastic support of Fr. Louie Castaneda, SDB Rector of DB-Makati, the population of the Training Center increased from 550 to 1000 trainees this year and is expected to grow as the support also continues to grow. The program already includes training for the High School undergraduates to benefit Non-Formal Equivalency with Technical Vocational Education and Training.
Currently, there are about 276 marginalized youth in need of special attention that are taken cared of by Bro. Elmer staying in 3 boarding houses in Canlubang, 5 boarding houses in Makati and 62 of the 276 stay in Pugad sa Don Bosco at St. John Bosco Parish, Makati. "The challenges are great in the work that is being done but just like Don Bosco, there is always the divine providence" the famous phrase of Bro. Elmer. As for him, it always pays to make the difference in the lives of those in need...
You will not imagine the immeasurable goodness that is done with the marginalized youth of our community. If you are interested in helping 1 of the 1000 the marginalized youth in need of special attention, get in touch with:
