Push Admin

LOOK: Marawi in the eyes of a young 'bakwit'

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA <strong>(UPDATED)</strong> - A tree, a house, flowers, and a tank in the middle.</p><p>This was how a 5-year-old evacuee depicted his war-torn hometown of Marawi in a simple drawing.</p><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/07/03/bakwitdrawing.jpg"/><figcaption><div class="embed-desc">Drawing of a 5-year-old evacuee from Marawi City.<cite> Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News</cite></div></figcaption></figure></div><p><br/>The drawing was part of the psychosocial activities conducted by the Teach Peace, Build Peace movement aimed at helping kids from Marawi, who were traumatized by the conflict. </p><p>Bai Rohaniza Sumndad-Usman, the group&#x27;s founding president and executive director, said the kids&#x27; drawings show how the ongoing crisis is affecting them. </p><p>&quot;Meron silang nightmares na paulit-ulit. Tumatakbo sa kanilang isipan ang nangyari. Merong bata ang kuwento, ayaw na nilang pumasok sa eskuwelahan,&quot; Usman said.</p><p>&quot;Sabi niya ayaw nila mag-enroll sa Iligan dahil natatakot sila kapag umabot ang giyera sa Iligan, mahihiwalay sila sa pamilya. Dun makikita natin &#x27;yung takot na meron sila,&quot; she added.</p><p>Aside from drawing, members of the group also brought stuff toys and art kits for the young bakwits. They also joined games, singing, and story telling activities.</p><p>&quot;Kapag ang bata nakayakap sa stuffed toy, may sense of healing, and we have been collecting stuffed toys and art kits that they can use while they are here,&quot; Usman said.</p><div class="media-content"><div class="slider-for"><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/07/03/kidbakwit1.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/07/03/kidbakwit2.jpg"/></div><div><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2017/news/07/03/kidbakwit3.jpg"/></div></div></div><div class="media-content slider-desc"><div class="item-desc"><p>Marawi kids find comfort and relief in toys and art kits given to them.<cite> Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Marawi kids find comfort and relief in toys and art kits given to them.<cite> Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div><div class="item-desc"><p>Marawi kids find comfort and relief in toys and art kits given to them.<cite> Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News</cite></p></div></div><p>Maida Amintao, whose two kids joined the activities, said it has been difficult for them to overcome the mental and emotional sufferings brought by the war.</p><p>&quot;Minsan umiiyak, minsan malungkot. Gusto nilang mag-aral. Sinasabi nila na kung puwede, uwi na tayo mamayang gabi. Sinasabi ko, hindi puwede, hindi pa tapos ang gulo,&quot; Amintao said.</p><p>Members of the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/teachbuildpeace/?ref=br_rs">Teach Peace, Build Peace</a> movement have been going to evacuation centers in Iligan City to visit the displaced children of Marawi. </p><p>Aside from the helping the young Marawi evacuees, the group is also pushing <a href="http://news.abs-cbn.com/news/06/12/17/youth-most-vulnerable-to-extremism-gangs">peace education</a> to prevent possible conflicts in the country.</p><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">WATCH: Marawi kids sing songs of peace, part of Teach Peace Build Peace Movement psychosocial activity. <a href="https://t.co/x6m0r1jlpL">pic.twitter.com/x6m0r1jlpL</a></p>— Ron Gagalac (@rongagalac) <a href="https://twitter.com/rongagalac/status/881712669048229888">July 3, 2017</a></blockquote><script async="" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charSet="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script><p>As of Sunday, July 2, the military said they have killed 336 terrorists, while 84 fatalities have been recorded on the government side.</p><p>At least 39 civilians, meanwhile were killed as the conflict in the southern city enters its 42nd day.</p><p>The military previously reported 44 civilian fatalities but adjusted it to 39 after a SOCO report on the recently-found cadavers.-- <strong>Report from Ron Gagalac, ABS-CBN News</strong></p>

<p>A tree, a house, flowers, and a tank in the middle. This was how a 5-year-old evacuee depicted his war-torn hometown of Marawi in a simple drawing.</p>

A tree, a house, flowers, and a tank in the middle. This was how a 5-year-old evacuee depicted his war-torn hometown of Marawi in a simple drawing.