Category: Philippines

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.

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.

Last month, Goducate hosted a 3-week massage course at the Goducate Training Center in Laguna for 7 deaf people and 18 other beneficiaries of the government’s Department of Social and Welfare Development’s (DSWD) Conditional Cash Transfer Program. Goducate has been partnering the department in implementing its Family Development Session in 15 villages, catering to more than 2000 families.

Laguna is south of Manila and is the resort capital of Luzon, where city people like  to spend their weekends enjoying the scenic view of Laguna Lake and soaking themselves in the natural hot Spring, from Mt. Makiling. Another attraction is the spa and massage service that some of the resorts offer. The possibility of getting jobs doing massage at these resorts is the reason why we partner with TESDA (Technical Skills and Development Authority ), the LGU ( Local Goverment Unit ), and  DSWD  to train people in massage.