On Dec 13, Goducate Training Center in Iloilo, the Philippines, held a Christmas event for four neighboring communities. Over 500 people excitedly arrived many hours before the start of the festivities. For most of the children, it was their first time in a swimming pool. The night ended with very creative Christmas performances by the various communities. For most it was the highlight of 2012.
These four communities are where our trainees have been serving as part of their practical training to become community development workers.. Our trainees visit these communities several times per week to teach literacy, livelihood skills, public health, and to mentor children.
Most of our trainees inform us that this hands-on work in the community is the best part of their training. Through this community work, many lessons have been learned, many bridges have been built between Goducate and the villagers, and many useful skills have been imparted. These trainees have just graduated and are sad that they have to leave their new-found friends.
To minimize the “gap” that the communities may face between successive batches of trainees, Goducate Training Center staff and faculty have formed “follow-up” teams to continue their service to these communities, until the next batch of trainees arrives in Jan 2013.
