Preda youth turned journalist
by Emmanuel C. Drewery
Akbay Youth Organization
Mary Anne Salo, 17, a third year high school student at Baretto National High School, Olongapo City, Philippines is starting her human rights activist career by writing her very own column in the school journal, BNHS ECHO. Through her column she is sharing with her co-students how important is the role of the youth in promoting and protecting the rights of other people, especially children.
In her article she said, "There are certain realities that we need to explore, certain things that we need to understand, certain issues that we need to comprehend and act on". These issues are to protect and help abused and trafficked children. She invites other people to take a stand and work for a better life for the children.
As a young dedicated active youth advocate she is also a youth leader. Besides being a budding journalist she leads the group AKBAY, an advocacy organization that is supported by Preda Foundation, and has the position as the new Internal Vice-Chairperson.
Mary Anne is also a public speaker and speaks out on behalf of children that were abused, neglected and imprisoned based on her own hardship as a child. She is one of the few chosen delegate to represent the country for the upcoming Southeast Asian Children's Conference that will be held at Antipolo City, Philippines on December 10 to 14, 2006.
She has greater ambitions for her future. ŽI want to be a lawyer someday, and I will defend the weak and the abused and defend human rights and children's rights".
She is also an accomplished actress
of the Akbay Youth Theater Group and has traveled to many countries
already including Germany and Ireland with a lead role in the
internationally acclaimed theater play "Once We Had a Dream" that depicts
the real-life story of children victims of abuse, trafficking and sex
tourism. A very powerful play that encourages people to take action
against the sexual exploitation of children. end.
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