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The Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro East Urban District 3870 recently held a skills training program for 25 inmates, also known as Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDL), at the Cagayan de Oro City Jail. This event was organized under the supervision of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) on August 23, 2023, in Lumbia, Cagayan de Oro City.
This initiative falls under the Community and Economic Development project, a key area of focus for the Rotary Club. The project involved a food processing training program, which is viewed as a viable livelihood opportunity for the participants.
The Rotarians present during the project implementation day headed by President Bing Dacudao
The food processing training was provided by ‘1 And All Technical School,’ a TESDA-accredited institution. The training aims to equip the inmates with skills that can generate income once they are released from jail. The curriculum included the production of ‘pasalubong’ or snack items, such as polvoron, binangkal, and banana chips, which have good market potential.
President Bing Dacudao, along with Director of Community Service Past President Guadalupe Chu and Chairman of the Economic and Community Development Rotarian Joy N. Co, spearheaded the project. The event was attended by 13 members of the Rotary Club, who witnessed the hands-on training and demonstrations.
President Bing Dacudao inspired the participants with a talk about the significance of the training and its potential benefits. Five inmates responded by expressing their gratitude for the knowledge gained through the training.
products produced by the trainees
At the end of the session, starter gift packs containing an apron, hairnet, bowl, wire whisk, and ladle were distributed amongst the 25 inmates. The club also provided an initial cash outlay to cover the costs of the products.
The snack items produced during the training will initially be sold to the 80 members of the Rotary Club of Cagayan de Oro East Urban. This strategy will help generate capital and income, enabling the inmates to start a business while still in jail.
Trainees learning the process of making banana chips
Considering Cagayan de Oro’s status as a tourist destination, the chosen products – polvoron, binangkal, and banana chips – are potentially popular ‘pasalubong’ items. The main ingredient for these products is locally sourced bananas.
The project not only equips inmates with skills for future employment but also provides a foundation for a potential home-based business. This initiative aligns perfectly with the Rotary Club’s theme for the year, “Creating Hope in the world,” by instilling hope in the 25 inmates while promoting female empowerment and project sustainability.
Check out more photos from this activity at our facebook page
A quick motivational speech for the trainees from Past President Inday Uy
