The SADFREE Movement and Youth Alive Asia-Pacific International University (AIU) Chapter celebrated its first anniversary on February 3, 2022. The said event happened during the university's Student Assembly with a theme "Stay Driven, Always Living."
Mrs. Pham Nguyen To Phuong, the Publishing and Health Ministries Director of Southeastern Asia Union Mission (SEUM), was invited as the resource person of the event. During her presentation, she emphasized the importance of not giving up and practicing healthy living amongst students at AIU. Moreover, she also reminded students to adopt healthy habits as our body is the temple of God.
Mr. Aeron De Guzman reported the past activities and upcoming plans during the ceremony. At the same time, Mr. Farrel Gara, Youth Director of Malaysia Union Mission, offered a dedicatory prayer for all the officers and advisors. After some words of encouragement from Dr. Lalaine Alfanoso and Dr. Ron Genebago, Mr. Dan Storie, the AIU Vice President for Student Administration, gave his closing remarks. In the evening, the officers organized a social night with a theme, "A Night of Mystery," led by Youth Alive Coordinators Giovanni Agra and Iris Alvez.
What is the SADFREE Movement and Youth Alive?
On the other hand, the SADFREE Movement, which stands for Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs Free Movement, is founded by Dr. Ron Genebago. It exists to save the youth from the harmful effects of smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, and using drugs, Assisting them to quit unhealthy habits, and Driving them to healthy living practices.
On the other hand, Youth Alive is a program for youth coordinated by Dr. Lalaine Alfanoso, Health Ministries Director of the Southern Asia Pacific Division (SSD). The program is designed to build resilience among young people by equipping them to make healthy choices. In addition, participants can make friends and connect with other students through the Friendship Group led by Youth Alive facilitators. Moreover, it also provides healthy discussion to talk about mental health, addiction, stress, pornography, and other related issues.
In the future, we are looking forward to organizing leadership skills training and Youth Alive conferences, establishing more friendship groups activities, and collaborating with other schools, universities, and communities. In addition, we look forward to collaborating with youth leaders and health leaders at the union level. Below is the list of SADFREE Movement and Youth Alive advisers and officers:
Officers:
President Aeron Guzman
Vice President Chataar Chartawan
Secretary Priyanshi Anand
Youth Alive Coordinator Giovanni Agra
Youth Alive Coordinator Iris Alvez
Treasurer Tu Tran
Public Information Officer. Alex Maxon
Media Officer Musonda Kankomba
Media Officer Chakawal Turu
Prayer Coordinator. Soki Bendy
Prayer Coordinator Chen Pengyu
Artist James Wong Yung Khai
Advisers:
Associate Director Dr. Jun Amparo
Advisor Dr. Siroj Sorajjakool
Advisor Mr. Dan Storie
Advisor Dr. Franklin Hutabarat
Advisor Mrs. Cherrie Juayno
Advisor Dean Sorawit Chaipisit
How SADFree Movement and Youth Alive started?
It was October 13, 2020, when the AIU representatives had an initial meeting with the SSD and SAUM Directors. The meeting was held online with Dr. Lalaine Alfanoso, SSD Health Ministries Director, Dr. Ron Genebago, SSD Youth Ministries Director, Pr. Francis Amer, SAUM Youth Director, including some representatives from AIU such as Mr. Dan Storie, AIU Vice President for Student Administration, and Dean Richard, AIU Residence Hall Director and Dr. Jun Amparo, university counselor at AIU.
The main emphasis of the meeting was to implement the SADFREE Movement and Youth Alive as a platform or tool to help and assist our young people when it comes to addiction and making healthy choices. After the said meeting, Dr. Jun Amparo presented the proposal to the Student Administration Committee meeting. Then, the overall program of SADFREE Movement and Youth Alive was approved last November 2, 2020. Eventually, the plan to create a core team orientation has also been approved.
The Core Team Members came from diverse backgrounds and nationalities, and they were selected mainly from the sophomore and junior years to serve longer. Moreover, most of the Core Team members have been endorsed or recommended by the teachers. Finally, the officers were elected as leaders of the SADFree Movement and Youth Alive, AIU Chapter. So let's continue to pray for this ministry, including our student leaders of the SADFREE Movement and Youth Alive at Asia-Pacific International University.
Jun Amparo, Southern Asia-Pacific Division Adventist Youth Department