Author: Grace

Two boys from the Goducate Children’s Home in Cambodia are among the first batch of students at the Goducate Training Camp in Iloilo, The Philippines.

There were mixed emotions at their send-off, which was both scary and exciting. No-one wanted to cry. We all wanted to them off with our full encouragement and smiling goodbyes. They gave us hugs and somewhat nervous grins.

In their few years with us, the two boys have developed well physically, emotionally, and academically, and both are a big help in the Home, although in different ways. Timothy loves animals and likes to look after them. Nathan seems to fit anywhere he is needed. He copes with construction work and gardening and other livelihood projects.
I recall how their homesickness and tearfulness during their first few days at the Home. Nathan in particular was particularly distressed, and asked to be sent home despite the domestic violence he had to endure. Yet it is comforting to us to know that they decided to be strong no matter what, and have settled in well. Both were identified as leaders about 2 years ago.

We hope that they will learn much at the Goducate Training Center that will serve them well when it is their turn to go out and help the needy. We hope too that they will turn out to be good examples for the other children at the Home.

The Goducate music program in the Philippines has been extremely successful. Many students have got back into school or been able to continue their education on the strength of their music ability. Those who have formed the orchestra have been able to earn money by playing at various events. Others are able to earn money by giving music lessons. Along the way they have learnt qualities such as discipline, endurance, diligence, teamwork.

Now the program has been introduced at the Goducate Children’s Home in Cambodia. Three Goducate musicians from The Philippines spent 10 days at the Home giving the children intensive recorder, keyboard, violin, and flute lessons. Despite some apprehension on the part of the teachers about having to teach in quite a different culture, the training went smoothly. After all, learning music knows no limits, works beyond borders, conquers cultural diversity, and overcomes language difficulties. By the fourth day most of the children were able to play simple songs such as Happy Birthday and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.

The chance to learn to play a musical instrument is beyond the wildest dreams of many children in developing countries, what more for abandoned children, such as those we have at the Children’s Home. We hope that the musical training being offered to these children will help widen their education, increase their confidence, give them hope for the future, and perhaps offer them a means of earning a living. Goducate’s aim is always to help the needy help themselves.

Construction of the workshop for the vocational training of the boys at the Goducate Children’s Home in Cambodia has started. And most of the work is being done by the boys themselves. Each boy does his part according to his strength and capability. The smaller boys do much of the fetching and carrying.

Some also mix cement.

So far the boys have received their vocational training informally, by pitching in and helping with whatever is being done at the Home. However, the plan now is to provide vocational training more systematically, hence the construction of the workshop. The workshop will be suitable for training in skills such as welding, electrical work, motor-vehicle repair and servicing, and carpentry.

Working on projects such as this brings out the best in the boys. They learn teamwork, endurance, discipline, and creative thinking. They also gain a sense of fulfillment as they assess what has been accomplished at the end of each day.