A few weeks ago, Thomos (our new Indonesian Coordinator) and I visited The Philippines. For Thomos it was part of his orientation program to familiarize him with Goducate projects in The Philippines. For me it was a chance to catch up with our new Filipino workers and new projects.
We visited Talahiban village, where we are constructing a new Goducate learning center. The walls of the training room are already being built (see blogs July 15 and July 29 for earlier stages).
Our worker, Sandy and his wife Lisa have been visiting the village for several months already, and many of the children of this village are enrolled in our music program. At present these children practise their instruments in the yard of a Goducate supporter in the village. However, the sound (not music!) from many enthusiastic youngsters is deafening and disturbing to the neighbors.
The new center, which is overlooking a field of trees, is nicely tucked away from the main village. It is also situated at the border of Talahiban village and the neighboring village, thereby making it accessible to people from the two villages.
Sandy has green fingers and has been successful with his crops. The little land around the new center will be a good place for him to set up a model sustainable backyard farm to encourage the neighbors to grow vegetables to supplement their diet.
Sandy’s teenage daughter, Melissa, is a good violinist and music teacher. And more importantly, she is a good role-model for the other children.
We expect this talented family to help the people of Talahiban to help themselves!
