Reach Youth in the Margins: CSE-ARH Caravan in Night High Schools

January 15, 2023 - Cebu City – In classrooms where the sun has long set and students swap work uniforms for school IDs, a different kind of learning recently took center stage—one not found in textbooks, but in life itself.

This was the heart of the Comprehensive Sexuality Education and Adolescent Reproductive Health (CSE-ARH) Caravan, a pioneering initiative under the ReachYouth Project, supported by USAID-ReachHealth, that brought critical discussions on health, identity, and responsibility to the underserved learners of Cebu’s Night High Schools (NHS). In a society where adolescent health conversations often occur during daylight hours, this effort was a deliberate move to reach those most often left out.

Across the Cebu Tri-Cities—Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu—the CSE-ARH caravan directly engaged more than 2,000 students from Grades 7 to 12, from different schools. These learners, most of whom come from economically challenged families, attend school at night while working during the day. Their unique situation has long made access to essential health and development programs a challenge—until now. The caravan went for three weeks, as the team visits one school after another.

Breaking Barriers with the Power of Education

At the forefront of the caravan was Nurse Jon Luzmar Empenado of the Philippine Nurses Association – Cebu Chapter, who facilitated sessions that candidly addressed adolescent reproductive health (ARH). With warmth and honesty, he debunked common myths, explained the consequences of early and unprotected sexual activity, and emphasized the value of informed decision-making.

"Talk to your teachers. Talk to your parents. Wait for the right time, with the right person," he urged, reinforcing the message of “school first, study first.” His presence provided both professional insight and a nurturing space for young people to reflect on their choices and futures.

Joining the caravan was Roxanne Doron from Bisdak Pride, who introduced students to essential conversations around Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Expression (SOGIE) and HIV 101. With empathy and clarity, Roxanne emphasized the importance of acceptance, respect, and access to accurate information—especially for LGBTQIA+ youth, who often face layered stigmas and barriers to care.

ReachYouth Project - A Model of Collaboration

The success of the caravan would not have been possible without the unwavering support of the Department of Education Division Offices of Cebu City, Mandaue City, and Lapu-Lapu City. Their partnership was instrumental in bringing this project to life.

Special recognition is due to the school health nurses and school administrators, whose active roles made the logistics seamless and the sessions effective. They helped identify schools, mobilized learners, provided health guidance, and stood as vital allies in sustaining the message of youth empowerment and wellness.

The initiative was also backed by local non-government organizations namely, Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) - Cebu Chapter, Philippine Obstetrical and Gynecological Society (POGS) - Cebu Chapter, and Bisdak Pride.

The partners' commitment signals a growing recognition that CSE and ARH are not "add-ons" to the curriculum, but they are fundamental rights, especially for those whose life circumstances limit their access to mainstream interventions.

More Than a Caravan, A Movement

What started as a series of talks quickly evolved into a movement. After each session, students lingered, not just to thank the speakers, but to ask more questions, to seek guidance, and, in some cases, to share their own experiences for the first time.

“Programs like this remind our learners that they are seen, that they matter,” said one teacher from Cebu City. “It’s not just about information. It’s about connection.”

With over 60,000 learners enrolled in NHS across the Tri-Cities—the highest concentration in the Visayas—the caravan serves as a compelling model of what is possible when public institutions, health professionals, and advocacy groups work hand in hand.

Moving forward...

The momentum built by the CSE-ARH Caravan is only the beginning. Stakeholders are now calling for a sustained rollout of similar efforts across all NHS campuses in the province. There is also a push to integrate more peer educators and expand the curriculum to include mental health, consent, and digital safety.

Because in every young person reached, there is a ripple. And in every ripple, the possibility of a healthier, more informed, and empowered generation.

Reaching the youth in the margins is a matter of equality and justice. And as the lights go on in night high schools across Cebu, so too does hope.