RAFI Begins Fifth Run of Young Minds Academy

In  trying to develop future leaders and great citizens for the country, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) began the Young Minds Academy (YMA) Season 5. The commencement of the program started with a covenant signing and orientation last February 12, 2011.

A junior member of the Cebu Bloggers Society Inc. (CBSi), Jaysee John R. Pingkian along with his team, John Rhecel Solon, Babykit Marie Nuñez, Lorbe Catadman, and Irish Nuñez of AMA Computer College and UC Banilad respectively, passed the rigorous screening process. For three weeks, they went through IQ and Personality tests, Essay Writing and Team Dynamics, and Panel Interview with mentors, YMA alumni and RAFI stakeholders.

YMA is a youth-centered program of RAFI that aims to develop young leaders who are ready to serve the public and its interest. Season 5 will feature two categories. Generation A is composed of youth from 17-20 years old while Generation B is from 12-16 years old. It is one of the programs under RAFI’s Leadership and Citizenship focus are, one of the five key focus ares in RAFI’s comprehensive approach to elevating lives and communities.

Held at the Eduardo Aboitiz Development Studies Center in Cebu City, 90 scholars representing 18 teams formally inked their intentions to finish the program. It was also attended by Mr. Bobby Aboitiz of RAFI and representatives from the program sponsors, UnionBank and City Savings Bank. Inspiring testimonials from YMA alumni were also being delivered enthusiastically. Also there to witness the momentuous event were Jaysee’s mother, Jocelyn Pingkian as the Team’s Accountability Partner, Vernon Go and Mikyu Maglasang, President and Vice President for Content Management of CBSi, respectively.

For eight months, they will exposed to activities in different venues and provinces through experiential education such as adventure and survival camps and expeditions. They will also have community learning visits and immersions from which they will be able to do research and concept development for the project proposals. They will also have conferences, capability building and youth exchange programs.

For more information about YMA 5, please contact 418-7234 loc. 110 and look for Mel Yan.