Category: Livelihood Training

A few weeks ago the Goducate musicians in Laguna attended a concert by the Manila Symphony Orchestra, courtesy of Mr Jeffrey Solares, the orchestra’s executive director. Last week he kindly invited our musicians to attend a workshop held at the Philippine High School for the Arts in Mt Makiling.

13 of our musicians attended the half-day workship. Jeffery Solares taught them about proper posture and preparation of the body while playing, coordination of the body with the instruments, proper handling of the bow during and after playing a piece, and how to relax mentally while playing. Next 5 of the musicians were asked to play a piece individually in front of him, and later the group as a whole did so.

The musicians learnt much and hope that they will be able to attend more such workshops.

Later this month the Goducate musicians will hold a recital for their families and friends. The day before the workshop, an internal evaluation was held for some of our musicians (10 very young children, 9 beginners, and 7 juniors) to decide which of them will be moved up to the next level. Those chosen to be promoted will be announced at this forthcoming concert.

One way by which Goducate helps the needy help themselves is to train them in a livelihood skill. Spa and wellness services are now popular in Iloilo, Philippines, which is gearing itself for the tourism industry. Thus Goducate arranged for some members of the communities adjacent to the Goducate Training Center to undergo training in massage.

10 people from four neighboring communities plus 3 Goducate Training Center staff underwent a 2-month training course sponsored by TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority).There were lectures on the rationale behind the practical steps. Staff and trainees of the Goducate Training Center were the guinea-pigs for the practical training. It was a very satisfactory arrangement by which one group got to improve their skills, while the other ended up feeling relaxed and refreshed.

All 13 students passed their assessment. Goducate hopes that these certified masseuses and masseurs will soon be able to use their newly acquired skills to earn money to support their own families, and with further training perhaps be able to train others.