Author: Leo

Rizaldo Mendoza joined Goducate’s livelihood program in May 2013, working at the Goducate Livelihood Center in Bay, Laguna, as a tailor. When the livelihood center had to close in April this year to save on rent, Mr Mendoza decided to rent a place for his tailoring business in the neighboring town of Los Banos at PhP 2500 a month. He started business there with 3 of the high-speed sewing machines and one edging machine from the Goducate Livelihood Center, and with 2 of the people he had trained at the center.

His business in Los Banos soon grew to the extent that he had to hire another 3 of his previous trainees, and his team worked shifts on the 3 sewing machines.

Here he explains in this own words how he joined Goducate’s program and how he progressed:

“There is no such a hard decision to make for a father than to leave your family and work  Abroad to make a living. Rearing 5 children as a tailor in Philippines is very hard and the only way I know is to work Abroad ( This is what I use to believe ), but it change when Goducate livelihood on sewing came.

“I Work as Tailor in   Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for 9 years since 2004- 2013, all those year only thrice that I was able to be back home. I missed most of the important event in the family like birthday’s and anniversaries including my children’s elementary and high school graduation. Every time came home i am just wishing not to leave yet seeing the need of my family I just have to, especially when my third son Christian was diagnosed of brain tumor 2006.

“When I’m home May 2013, I was decided not to leave seeing My Son’s worst condition, Looking for a job, I was then  given a chance to work at the Goducate’s sewing project. I am so happy  because I am now fulfilling my dream to manage a shop on my own which I also involve my family [2 of his sons help in the business but do the sewing at home on 2 machines].However, sadly Christian died in July 2014.

“I am very thankful to Goducate Livelihood program and Scholarship Program through which I am able to send  my 4th and 5th son to college that which i am not able to do on my other two older children even I am working in Saudi.

“Not only i am able to sustain my family and the school allowance of my two college children, In addition  I was able to buy a second hand motorbike for ( PhP25,000) after securing a big contract to sew uniforms for a private school last year.

“My dream of having a shop comes into reality and a bonus ( motorbike).”

Mr Mendoza’s monthly income is now equivalent to what he was getting when in Saudi Arabia, and he gives a fifth of it to Goducate towards a fund for more machines. His helpers are earning what is the average wage for the area. The business is doing so well that Mr Mendoza is looking for a bigger place to accomodate 5 high-speed sewing machines that can be used round the clock.

Mr Mendoza is an example of what Goducate would like in a beneficiary—one willing to pass on his or her skills and willing to help others when he or she has made good.

On May 19-23 Goducate Laguna held our 6th summer music workshop, with 53 participants.

One of our volunteer teachers was 23-year-old Jay-Ar. In 2008 he graduated from high school but was not able  to pursue his college studies because of financial difficulties. Being the firstborn in a family of 6 siblings, he was obliged to find a job to help support the family.

When he joined our music program in 2012, he soon learnt to play several wind instruments, and was given a chance to pursue his studies through a Goducate scholarship. Students who take part in our community programs (including the music program) are eligible to apply for these scholarships, sponsored by a Goducate supporter. Jay-Ar was also granted free tuition by his college after passing an audition to become part of the college brassband.

He is now in the 4th year of his course for the Bachelor of Science in Education, and hopes to graduate by next year.

Jay-Ar plays the saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, and flute. He helps in our music program weekly, training others to play an instrument. It is part of Goducate culture for those who have been helped to go on to help others. This kind of movement makes a program sustainable.

Muhammid Ali Tilde is one of about 40 students in Laguna, Philippines, who are “Goducate scholars”—ie, they receive bursaries from a Goducate sponsor to enable them to further their education. Muhammid Ali, who will turn 21 in a couple of months, is the middle of 5 children of a couple who have been trying to make a living through various small business ventures.

In June 2012, Muhammid Ali entered the Eulogia “Amang” Rodiguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) to study for a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. But when his parents’ business there failed, they moved to live with his aunt in Laguna. So after 2 years at EARIST, he entered the Laguna State Polytechnic University Los Banos (LSPU LB). However, not all the courses taken at EARIST were accepted at LSPU LB, so he had to start as a 2nd year student, which meant another 3 years before graduating.

However, he has been doing well in sports at LSPU. He writes: “Since elementary I am Taekwondo player but I stop playing Taekwondo when I am in my high school level until first year collage because in my school in Manila, they don’t have a taekwondo competition. However, when I transfer in LSPU I start to train again. I was privileged to represent our campus on Inter-Campus of LSPU and I got a silver medal on that competition. It was just a start, the next year I got a gold medal and I went to Southern Tagalog Regional Association of State Universities and Colleges (STRASUC) Olympics last December 18-22 and I got a Silver medal on that competition.

I am now officially a 3rd year college student and very thankful and blessed to be a part of Goducate Scholars. The blessing is doubled because my younger sister is also a member of this group. This scholarship is a very huge blessing to me and my family because of this scholarship we can continue our schooling to have a better and brighter future”.