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2014-05-092014-06-09

Goducate centres in Sabah have feeding programme for Nutrition Month

Goducate centres in Sabah observed Nutrition Month from April 7 to April 30. A school day in short, so students go home for meals, but during that Nutrition Month, students at each of the 22 schoolhouses were given a meal in school on one of the days.

Apart from the literacy program, Goducate has been promoting health in the communities in Sabah. There is a regular de-worming programme, basic health screening (because most of the people there are not entitled to treatment at state facilities), and an effort to get the community to grow and eat moringa, a plant with many nutrients.

Some of the mothers helped to prepare the meal for the feeding programme. The meal consisted of rice porridge with chicken and moringa. This was an opportunity for reinforcing to the mothers the importance of nutrition for the children, and the relation between health and school performance.

2014-04-222014-06-09

Goducate starts Happy Happy English in second dorm in Singapore

In January, Goducate started a programme called Happy Happy English for foreign workers living in a huge dormitory Tuas, in the far west of Singapore (see Jan 24 and May 7 blogs). Goducate has now started a similar programme in another dormitory in Jurong East, in the western part of Singapore.

The Happy Happy English programme consists of a few weeks of “edutainment”, which takes the form of an entertaining video about certain aspects of Singapore, combined with a stage show, games, and the learning of some English phrases. Before the 12-week course starts, there is a session for placement tests for those who want to join the classes. The lessons are very interactive, with facilitators on hand to lead in small-group activities and chats.

The residents in the second dorm have generally been in Singapore longer than those in the first dorm, and the level of English is on the whole higher among those who have registered for classes. The lesson plan for the 2 higher-level classes will consist of watching a video first before the students break up into groups to discuss the video.

The aim of a Happy Happy English is to give the foreign workers confidence in speaking functional English and to make them feel welcome in Singapore.

Residents at the "edutainment" session — Residents at the “edutainment” session

More fun and games during the edutainment session

While some undergo placement session, others take part in small-group chats

2014-04-112014-06-09

BBQing For Goducate

Last Saturday some 50 food connoisseurs spent the afternoon enjoying a BBQ Cookout and supporting Goducate at the same time. The fundraiser was organized by foodblogger Dr Leslie Tay of ieatishootipost.sg, who has supported Goducate by holding such events for us several times in the past. Special thanks go the main sponsor for the event, Swiss Butchery, which sponsored the venue and the meats.

Diners were offered a gustatory array of different meats such as Wagyu Beef Rump, Smoked Iberico Pulled Pork (marinated for 10 hours), Smoked beef brisket, duck hearts, Mahi Mahi, Tuna and more!

The event was complemented by “Barbeducation “ on BBQ and smoking techniques. The ambience was completed with Sean Harrison’s versatile voice as he serenaded diners with old-time classics.