Goducate has lost no time in starting its program of bringing basic literacy education to the children of Marawi who have been displaced by the 5 months of fighting there between the Philippines government and ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria). The city has been badly destroyed, and some 400,000 people have been displaced (see blog, Sept 30). The displaced families have no income, and their children have stopped schooling.
Goducate’s program is to teach mothers who have had some education how to teach basic literacy to their own and to neighbouring children. Goducate has been using this program for 8 years in Sabah, East Malaysia, for the people known as “undocumented aliens”, who have no access to state education.
To start off the program for the people displaced from Marawi to Iligan, Goducate’s teacher-trainers from the Sabah team conducted a 2-day (Oct 17-18) trainers-training program for 10 local leaders in Iligan City. These leaders will then train mothers in evacuation centers how to teach basic literacy using the Goducate curriculum, materials, and other supplies.
The month-long Basic Literacy Training for Mothers started on Oct 19 in Ceanuri Evacuation Center. The trainees were 40 energetic mothers. So far, the trainees have given positive feedback. They find the program interactive and enjoyable. They say that the lessons and activities they have learned are easily transferable to their children. They affirm that the Basic Literacy Program is needful and is a big help for their family.
*Our guest writer is Joanna De Leon, a community development worker
