This is the first time that I set foot on the Goducate Training Center since I read about it on the Goducate website. I must admit that I have never seen anything like this before, in terms of the high level of enthusiasm and buzz in a rural community project. All the people (volunteers and workers alike) that I met on-site gave me a sense that they wanted to do their best to finish the project well. With a dose of gusto and camaraderie, this area was transformed from a patch of forest into the shape it is today – all in a space of 2 months – albeit there is more to go to complete the project. While the pace of development is truly impressive, I would say that the team spirit, enthusiasm and positive outlook are even more commendable.
Many volunteers at the site are trained professionals in areas such as civil and electrical engineering, agriculture and forestry. In anticipation of the visit by the Goducate directors from Singapore, each volunteer was encouraged to put up their own proposal for new activities or projects at the existing site. The proposals were presented at a meeting room in the city on an evening. Interesting ideas were aplenty. For example, the proposals included the establishment of a training restaurant which could be sustained by regular patrons from the Iloilo locality, the setting up of a freshwater fish farm for demonstration of livelihood and recreational fishing, and a setup to train proper agricultural techniques for better harvest. While these ideas still need more time to cook, it is clear that they will have to be self-supporting – to align to Goducate’s overall objective to help needy Asians to help themselves.
Speaking of self-supporting, there are over a hundred daily rated laborers on-site. For this phase of the construction project, some of the laborers were deployed to work on the multi-purpose hall, some to work on the impounding pond and some to plant hybrid rice. I was told that these skilled laborers were hired from the locale surrounding the Training Center, thereupon providing jobs to the locals. Having gainful employment allows one to help oneself.
To the team in Philippines, keep what truly is good, that is your team spirit, enthusiasm and positive outlook!
