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Goducate’s Global Life Hub moves on steadily

Goducate’s Global Life Hub in Hyderabad, South India, was launched on 11 August 2012. Today, 6 months on, we have 100 members, of whom 30 are women. Some 50 members come regularly to enjoy the ambience, the activities, the free coffee, and to surf the internet.

We Indians have been brought up with the idea that only marks and grades guarantee a good fortune. Nevertheless, students are now realizing that grades alone are not enough for securing a job. Every year India produces thousands of graduates of all specialties, yet few of them fit into professional life in multinational companies. And this is due to lack of confidence, poor ability to communicate in English, and insufficient knowledge of the wider world.
The aim of the Global Life Hub is to provide a place with an international ambience where students can develop the skills they need by talking and chatting to other students and people from different countries, by learning to think creatively, and by practicing how to communicate well.

To help the members learn about international culture and lifestyles we have invited foreign business consultants to talk about life and opportunities for employment and further studies in their countries. In addition, we have 2 American teams who come to interact with the members every week. Members were also exposed to foreign culture, traditions, and food habits through a baking session in December.

To expose the students to life in the corporate world we have invited software engineers from large multinational corporations to share their experiences.

To help members learn to speak English well and confidently, we hold sessions on pronunciation and accents, and on public speaking. An example of a speaking activity was the one held a couple of weeks ago, when members were asked what sections they would include, and why, if they were given a chance to edit a new magazine for teenagers. They had to choose from a list of sections, such as, music, fashion, problem page, study opportunities, summer jobs, astrology, health, etc. Each was given 3 min to talk about their choice, and they came up with some creative ideas.
I think we are achieving our goal. Those members who come regularly have become more confident, have become more creative in their thinking, and have overcome their fear of addressing a crowd.

fun with American friend
fun with American friend
"Hmm, what sections should I include in the magazine?"
“Hmm, what sections should I include in the magazine?”
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Goducate Laguna musicians entertain shoppers on Valentine’s Day

Eight members of the Goducate Laguna Orchestra filled SM San Pablo City, Philippines, a shopping mall, with romantic music on Valentine’s Day. Six of them are college students who are also Goducate scholars—ie, they receive scholarships on the strength of their musical ability from their college, which covers their college fees, while Goducate covers their other expenses needed for their courses. The other two are Goducate volunteers. The group played two sessions that day, one from 3-4 pm and the other from 5-6 pm.

It was the second time that Goducate musicians have performed at SM San Pablo City, the other being Christmas Day 2011.

Playing at events like this helps to fulfill Goducate’s aim of helping needy Asians help themselves. Apart from the fee received from the management of the shopping mall, the event was an opportunity for the musicians to receive inquiries from the public about the possibility of their being hired for events such as weddings and anniversaries.

The musicians
The musicians
The audience
The audience
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Goducate in Laguna resumes teaching through the Alternative Learning System

The Philippines has an Alternative Learning System (ALS), a non-formal system of elementary and high school education that can be achieved without attending classes in school daily. The ALS enables students to choose their modules and learn at their own pace. It is used by school dropouts, working people, and even senior citizens. Those who pass the appropriate examinations may be able to get back into formal schooling or into college.

In Laguna Province Goducate has been teaching school dropouts through this system. However, for administrative reasons, the program was dropped last year.

This year the program has been resumed, and students will be taught at three centers. One center is the Goducate music studio, and the other two are in somebody’s house. So far 30 students have registered. Most are out-of-school youth but there are 2 mothers (one aged 55) and a father.

Goducate in Laguna now has 7 teachers who are certified to teach through the ALS. The 2 who received their certificates only this year are now at the Goducate Training Center for further training as English language teachers.

Apart from the ALS teaching and the nursery and preparatory grade classes held at the Goducate literacy centers, Goducate also conducts free literacy and numeracy tutorials for unschooled children, as well as tutorials for school-going children who need help to cope with their schoolwork.

ALS class at the music studio; the students 2nd and 3rd from the left are mothers
ALS class at the music studio; the students 2nd and 3rd from the left are mothers
ALS class in somebody's house; the man in the foreground is a father carrying his baby
ALS class in somebody’s house; the man in the foreground is a father carrying his baby