On Feb 7, Goducate in Laguna sealed a partnership with Barangay (village) Balanac in the municipality of Magdalena, for Goducate scholars to be community development trainers there. The village has scarce resources. For instance, it is 10 km away from the nearest public hospital, so the residents seldom seek medical help.
Most of our 23 Goducate scholars in different universities in Laguna are in their third or fourth year of study, and thus are very busy complying with their school requirements. Yet they make time for their community work. Even those scholars who have graduated continue to help out in our community projects.
Some of them teach children aged 4-12 every Saturday. They teach subjects such as good behaviour (through stories) and proper hygiene, as well as musical skills. Some scholars are part of the Health Information Program. They check blood pressures and teach people the causes of hypertension and diabetes, and simple measures of preventing these diseases.
A team of Goducate scholars will now be visiting Barangay Balanac every Saturday.It is our joy to see the scholars appreciate what they have and their willingness to help others.
*Our guest writer is Mariane Angela Reyes, representative of the Goducate Training Center, Laguna