I met Melissa during last week’s trip with several other Singaporeans to the Goducate Centre in Laguna, Philippines. She looked physically smaller than a normal 14-year-old but she behaved like a mature young lady.
She was playing violin at a special occasion when I saw her. After which she played solo for us. Wow! I was impressed! It was the 1st time I’d heard the violin played in a shabby, muddy, dirty environment. But who needs a concert hall? Melissa’s music was most inspiring and sweet sounding! She learnt how to play the violin in less than 2 years! Now, she plays for private functions, and even helps to train 22 children in music. She also displayed confidence in her conversational and public speaking skills. I was told that Melissa’s life was transformed after she met Goducate Community workers who helped her and her family.
Melissa is one of the beneficiaries from Goducate’s Musical Livelihood Project in Laguna to equip children and teenagers to make some money from performances and potentially gain free entry into High Schools through their musical ability, thus giving them hope. The training of playing a musical instrument also instils discipline and determination, as well as keeping them off the streets and getting into any troubles (drugs, alcohol, prostitution etc). More than a 100 children have been learning to play an instrument.
It was great to see the Goducate-Laguna Orchestra grow in size and strength. More native trainers are now involved, and setting a wonderful and hopeful example to many poor children who thought they would never have a chance to discover their musical talents or opportunities to showcase it.
Whilst there are many needy children and teenagers waiting in line to be trained musically, I hope Goducate supporters will donate more musical instruments to help these needy Asians help themselves.