Philippines – Page 86 – Goducate … Go And Educate!

2012-01-312012-01-31

Parents of children at Goducate Learning Center in Philippines learn to bond with children

A fortnight ago parents of the children attending the Goducate Learning Center in Lalao, Laguna, were brought together to attend a session with their children. The session, called Mama and Me, was intended to emphasize to the parents the importance of good communication with their children and of teaching their children and supervising them while they do their homework and assignments. For the children, the intention was to impress on them how much their mothers love them.

The session started with me talking about the important role mothers have in building the lives of their children, which I hope gave them some encouragement. Then we went on to the games and other activities.

For any work to succeed, the laborers ought to be united and respect each other. Hence we plan to have a session at the kindergarten every month to foster good relations with the parents and impress on them the importance of their cooperation in building up the lives of their children. In other words, we want to teach them to help themselves and their own families

P1183403 — Mothers and children at play again

P1183368 — Mothers helping children with artwork

2012-01-242012-01-24

Goducate Training Center models rice-fish farming system

At the Goducate Training Center in Iloilo, Philippines, our agriculture team is modelling a rice-fish farming system in support of Goducate’s “GoFeed” mandate. The results, so far, are promising. The agronomic performance of the rice plants are impressive and the fish are progressively increasing in size and weight.

Popularly known as rice-fish culture, this technique is significant for its symbiotic relationship feature. The fish eat insect pests, fertilize the plants with their droppings, and aid in oxygen circulation. In turn, the rice plants provide shade to the fish, protect the fish from predators, and supply supplemental feeds through decaying leaves.

Two rice plots, approximately 600 sq m each, were prepared by digging perimeter trenches measuring two meters wide and one meter deep. The trenches serve as refuge for the fish during intermittent draining of the ricefield. After planting, each plot was separately stocked with 1,000 fingerlings of Nile tilapia (Tilapia nilotica) and African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Starter feeds were given for the first month. After that floater feeds were supplied.

Our visitors have seen the practical and replicable aspects of the rice-fish model. The major requirement to succeed in this technology, however, is reliable water supply. A distinct advantage at GTC is the presence of a water impounding project which ensures the technical feasibility of integrating fish with rice throughout the year.

There is empiricial evidence that rice-fish culture can increase rice yield up to 10%. Aside from supplying the staple and protein needs of the household, it also has the potential to produce a net farm income that is about five times more than what a farmer usually realizes from rice monoculture.

2012-01-20

Goducate has new music studio in Laguna

Goducate has rented premises for a music studio in Laguna. Members of the Goducate Orchestra, especially those in college, have been helping to get the place ready for use by the end of this month.

This studio is where the Goducate Orchestra will hold its rehearsals. It is also where auditions will held every three months to see whether any of the newer musicians are ready to join the junior orchestra. On top of that, members of the orchestra can use this place to teach private students. The income they receive will help fund their own studies, and perhaps even help meet their families’ daily needs.