The SM- City San Pablo, a large shopping mall opened in Oct 2010, invited Goducate musicians in Laguna to play for their Mother’s Day Special Presentation. It was the third time that the mall has invited our musicians to do so.
Not only were our musicians able to entertain shoppers that day, but also they had a chance to distribute flyers promoting the private tutorials that our musicians give. 8 of the Goducate musicians are giving such tutorials.
The Goducate music program in Laguna has been a good way of keeping children off the streets, teaching them qualities such as discipline, team work, and diligence, and also a means of helping them earn some pocket money through performances such as at malls and at weddings.
Goducate musicians (at right side of foot of stage) entertaining crowd in between stage shows.
Goducate in Laguna, Philippines, held its 5th summer music workshop on May 13-16. The summer music workshop is an annual event at which the musicians receive some intensive coaching, where they are assessed as to whether they join the orchestras (junior or senior), and where newcomers are taken into the program.
This year there were 86 students participants, including 10 from the Morning Star Montessori School (at which Goducate conducts music lessons), and 5 who are taking private music lessons from Goducate musicians.
19 volunteer teachers conducted the workshop. Some musicians who had attended the workshops in the past served as teachers and facilitators. This practice of Goducate beneficiaries sharing with others the skills they have acquired through us is something that Goducate encourages.
Individual and group teaching were given at the workshop. The workshop culminated with a ceremony at which students showed their skills and certificates were awarded for various achievements.
The follow-up teaching will continue every Saturday afternoon.
Sarah, a student in previous workshop, teaching the violinThe youngest participants showing how to bow on open stringsStudents with awards for hard work and dedication at the workshop.
Goducate is partnering with the Department of Social Welfare Development in Laguna, Philippines, to conduct the Children’s Summer Activities for children in 15 villages who are “4P” beneficiaries.
The 4P (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) is a Philippine government program that aims to eradicate extreme poverty by investing in health and education, especially for children aged 14 and under. It is patterned on programs in other developing programs, such as the Oportunidades program in Brazil and the Bolsa Familia program in Mexico. The Department of Social Welfare Development uses a proxy-means test to identify families eligible for this program.
The program focuses on two objectives—social assistance through the provision of cash to address short-term financial needs, and social development through investing in building up the child’s capacity to break the intergenerational poverty cycle. The second objective is the same as Goducate’s..
The 3-day class with its theme “Enhance the Children to Better Face the Future” was designed by Goducate and approved by the regional authorities, who believe that it “It is better to build a child than to restore a man”. The lessons focus on the children’s responsibility in the family and society. It was designed for children aged 7-11. The topics covered range from responsible handling of garbage (such as where to dispose of garbage and how to segregate into the right cans for recycling and environmental friendliness) to respecting and being grateful to parents, the aged, and those who have helped them in any way.
The class will be repeated in every village. While the lessons are in progress the parents are kept busy preparing the meals.
Mother assisting child with practical workParents bringing material for preparing foodGraduation day.
