Kabanata PH is an awesome organization that is encouraging young people to become politically active and make change in their communities and globally! Read More!
1. Tell us all about you and your organization!
Kabanata PH is a youth-led organization that believes in the power of young people to change the world. Essentially, we aim to bridge the gap between the issues of today and the leaders of tomorrow. We do so by educating the youth on certain issues, such as toxic masculinity and LGBTQIA+ awareness, and by finding ways for young individuals to partake in conflict resolution, such as volunteer programs.
2. Why do you think it’s important for your generation to let their voices be heard?
I think it's important for us to be heard because after all, the process of world-changing takes a really long time. Real change can only occur when it occurs systematically, and systematic change can only occur when it starts from the ground up.
We are the ones who are going to be affected by the decisions we make today. Therefore, it is only fitting that we should be making them! After all, "young" does not necessarily mean inexperienced or uneducated. If anything, I hope we as GenZ have proven the opposite to be true!
3. Are you optimistic or pessimistic about the future?
I would say that I am pretty optimistic about the future. I'm a pessimist by default, but I've seen how the world has developed into being willing to listen to the voice of the people, and how change has become accessible to the general public. We've been able to, by the power of educated voting, eventually elect a roster of individuals that is the most diverse yet. While these elected officials still cannot and do not accurately represent America, or the world for that matter, the fact that women in hijabs and men who love men are able to sit at the top of the political ladder constitutes a win in my book.
4. What are the most important issues facing our world right now? And in the future?
I would say that our biggest issue as a society is the fact that we don't want to listen to one another. White individuals always talk about POC empowerment until they're asked to pass POC creators the mic. Corporate feminists preach their women empowerment spiels until they're asked why they cannot uplift POC women. To create change, we need to begin to acknowledge that we are not always the experts at everything, and that we need to pass the mic!
5. What does your organization offer that helps the world be a better place?
Our organization plans to hold one-time volunteer trips and to even partner with some facilities for area visits! We believe in the power of these experiences, and the impact they can have on the world. We also aim to inform the youth about important issues, and how they can partake in solving them with their limited abilities.
6. Will you be voting in the next election?
No, because I am 1) 14 years old and 2) not currently residing in the United States. I encourage my family and of-age friends to vote, though, and educate myself about candidates nonetheless. I do this so that I can discuss the candidates I believe in and back their campaigns since I hope that I've become an example of why adults should listen to young people like me.
7. Please tell us all about your current campaigns, projects, and endeavors. Tell everyone where to find you online and on social platforms.
For all current projects, you can check our socials (mainly Instagram) or our website! Check us out at Instagram (@kabanata.ph) and Facebook (Kabanata PH), and reach us for partnerships, interviews, features, etc. at contact@kabanataph.org!