PROJECT BABAE.LAN

Written By: Sr. GS Milca Jane Cameseria & Sr. GS Danielle Bautista

Akeena Rosalie Siladan, a participant in the Juliette Low Seminar of WAGGGS last November 2019, launched Project Babae.lan to encourage girls to exercise leadership and to see themselves as leaders. Pronounced as Babaylan, someone who has the ability to mediate with the spirit world has her own spirit guides and is given gifts of healing, foretelling, and insight in the Philippines during the pre-colonial era.

Core group members of the Project Babae.lan having their meeting

Project Babae.lan, also known as the 100 girls implementation project, was established to provide 100 or more girls aged 12 and up with additional opportunities to exercise leadership and see themselves as leaders. The project also has the theme "Lead Out Loud," which reflects on gender obstacles to leadership (WAGGGS Leadership Model) and Sustainable Development Goal number 5 (gender equality).

The challenge was open to all Iloilo Council's star, junior, senior, and cadet girl scouts, as well as adult leaders. Since the Covid-19 virus has spread in our world, and there are newly implemented health guidelines to keep us healthy and away from the virus. The activity was done virtually with girls posting their tasks or challenges on Facebook, for monitoring purposes. The seven week long project started on June 2 until last week of July 2019

Participants are all smiles to wrap up the digital gathering

One on One with a Babae.lan

What was your inspiration in conducting this project?

After JLS 2019, I was inspired to share my learnings about the WAGGGS Leadership model. I was so excited to implement the project since it was the first time for me to conduct sessions on leadership and I usually do advocacy work such as the FBM-ABC program. The project would also be very helpful for the girls to improve their leadership skills and practice them for their respective troops and community projects.

How did you feel about having this online project a success?

I really felt relieved and at the same time happy. I felt relieved because I did the project earlier so my volunteer work would not conflict with my professional work and master’s degree work. I also felt happy because I was able to pull off a virtual event back when organizing such activities was very nonexistent. Though we had some setbacks, we managed to make the project a success. I couldn't have done this without the core team with me. Shout out to these girls and titas (you know who you are)

Tita Akeena (Akie) Rosalie Siladan