In art sessions, children were given papers and coloring materials to do individual drawing exercises. In Buruun and Pantar, where participants are children ages 3 to 6, no particular theme or topic was given. Instead, children were allowed to draw, doodle or write anything and everything that comes to their mind. In Saguiaran where most participants are from middle-school, children were asked to draw or write their messages for the President. Still in Saguiaran, a “tell-me-about-your-community” activity where children were asked to describe or share their best memories in their communities through the use of pictures and emoticons was also facilitated by the group. Through these activities that group intends to draw out narratives and descriptions of the problems that relate to specific rights under the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, and from which policy and program recommendations may be developed. The issues and concerns that surfaced from these activities are presented in this report under the specific rights affected. Bulk of the discussion will revolve around the rights categorized under the UNCRC as Development and Protection Rights as most of the issues conveyed to the group by the children relate to these rights. THE RIGHTS AND GUARANTEES OF IDP CHILDREN IN ARMED CONFLICT Right to Education Education plays a very important role in helping children in situation of armed conflict recover from the traumatic experiences of the war. Attending regular classes gives children a sense of normalcy especially when they see their former classmates, and meet new friends in school. Exploring new things and doing home works keep their minds off from the negative things that are currently happening within their surroundings. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of the displaced children who were interview managed to continue their studies. From the interviews and activities conducted, the group was able to identify several obstacles to education faced by internally displaced children. a) Material Requirements In Saguiaran, where families stay in the gymnasium, the school is but a few meters away but almost all children who were interviewed have decided to stop attending classes. The lack of school supplies and uniforms was the main reason cited why children drop out from their classes. Some children, especially those in the middle school, are not comfortable attending classes wearing worn-out clothes and bringing nothing but a few leaves of paper and a piece of pen. They feel that they do not belong especially when they are combined with the regular students. “Maraming bata ang hindi nakakapag-aral, walang bag, walang notebook. Nahihiya sila kasi wala silang gamit, ‘nde maganda ang suot nila so parang na-iinsecure sila kasi lagi silang pinagtitinginan”, says an evacuee who previously worked as a teacher in Mindanao State University – Marawi. It was confirmed by the group from the children and some parents that school supplies were actually distributed in the evacuation centers before the start of the school year. However, not all children in the evacuation centers received one. According to one parent in Saguiaran, the schools kits that were distributed were intended for grade school students who are in the “list”. It was mentioned that the group leaders provide the “list” to the camp managers. Only those who are included in the list receive the goods. Another parent also claimed that two of her children who are in elementary did not receive school kits because they are not included in the “list”. She wonders why not all children are given the same goods when every family are required to register once they enter the evacuations centers. “Kawawa naman yung ibang bata na ‘nde nabibigyan. Sana yung masterlist nalang ang basehan nila ‘pag nagbibigay (ng donasyon) kasi alam naman nila kung ilan lahat ang mga bata dito dahil naglista (register) naman kami pag dating dito sa Evacuation Center,” recommends that mother to the group. Conversely, no bags or school supplies were provided to high school or college students in all evacuation centers. One high-school student who attends school in Buruun shared that she sold relief (canned) goods for P10.00/pc to outsiders to raise money to buy a bag and other materials needed in school. “Hindi ko sinasabi kay mama na kukumuha ako ng sardinas kasi baka magalit siya; hindi rin naman niya napapansin kasi marami namang sardinas ang binibigay sa amin,” disclosed the young girl to the group. b) Discrimination 65