Southern Leyte State University Launches Project Pitik to Aid Fishermen’s Children Affected by Typhoons

TABUGON, Liloan, Southern Leyte — In a bid to support children affected by frequent super typhoons, Southern Leyte State University (SLSU), with support from Southeast Asia Junction, launched Project Pitik on July 14, 2023. The community-focused initiative aims to provide psychological support and skill-building to children from the fishing community in this typhoon-prone area.

Pitik is a local term for “to capture,” a term associated with photography. It kicked off with an opening ceremony and a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signing to outline the objectives of Project Pitik, which centers on mobile photography, storytelling, and counseling. A photography training session held on July 28, 2023 equipped the children with fundamental skills, helping them capture and share their experiences. A storytelling workshop on September 16, 2023 further empowered them to articulate their emotions and trauma related to past typhoons.

On October 7, 2023, the project conducted counseling sessions facilitated by licensed professionals to offer a safe space for the children to process their traumatic experiences. The culmination on December 7, 2023 featured an Awareness Campaign on Climate Change and Its Threat to Children, attended by the local community and policymakers to discuss the project’s outcomes and promote climate change awareness.
The initiative has had a positive impact, helping children acquire new skills, receive emotional support, and become advocates for resilience in their community. Project Pitik exemplifies SLSU’s commitment to addressing climate-related challenges facing vulnerable populations through skill-building and community engagement.

This project is also a testament to SLSU's commitment to contributing to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG No.3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).