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Goducate Training Center in Iloilo resumes its activities

The Goducate Training Center in Iloilo, Philippines, which had been quiet for some eight months because of restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, has come back to life now that the Local Government Unit of Iloilo is allowing gatherings, albeit with observance of protocols such as the wearing of facemasks and social distancing. There has been the resumption of training activities as well as the opening of the place to visitors.

Laughter and giggles from both young and old, families and friends, are heard once again. Screams of joy echo from the pool area as children and parents are having fun, enjoying the cool water and the fresh air. In every corner, groups of friends are taking pictures, savoring the sweet moments together. Bikers are wheeling around and the zip line is getting busy.  Family Fun Learning is a new activity that has been added to the package. This program helps busy parents and children to bond together through gardening, arts and crafts, and picking vegetables.

The family picking vegetables

The team building program has also resumed. Workers get a break from their ordinary routine and relax through engaging in meaningful activities that shape character and strengthen the relationship. Deca Homes Iloilo visited for this purpose. Their staff work mainly from home. Excitement and joy were seen on their faces when they met and had fellowship together after a long while. A mother’s unconditional love was a lesson emphasized by their leader while they sat around the bonfire under a starry night as the ceremony came to close. The participants were dressed in formal attire for the closing ceremony, during which awards were given for their performance during the program.

Team building for the staff of Deca Homes

*Our guest writer is Rebecca Depalubos, a Goducate staff member.

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Goducate helps victims of typhoons in Philippines

Goducate’s Meek and Lowly Community Center in Tagumpay, Bay, Laguna, Philippines, housed local residents who had to evacuate their homes because of two powerful typhoons that have hit the area so far this month.

Typhoon Rolly (international name Goni) was the most powerful storm recorded worldwide this year. It made landfall in the region of Bicol twice and went on to hit land twice more in the region of Calabarzon as a typhoon, before rapidly weakening into a tropical storm over the West Philippines Sea.

Most of the houses in Barangay Tagumpay are not very sturdily built. Hence on Oct 31, before the typhoon began, some people already asked permission to bring their belongings to the Center so that it would be easy for them to evacuate their homes when they needed to. They moved into the Center on Nov 1.

Because of the need to observe social distancing in view of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Meek and Lowly Community Center could accommodate 23 families (97 individuals) only who needed shelter from Typhoon Rolly. Others had to seek shelter elsewhere. Febie Ibaňez, a Goducate volunteer, together with Goducate scholars, ensured that safety protocols were followed. The Barangay Captain and Rural Health Unit (RHU) medical team visited the evacuees several times to check that conditions were satisfactory.

The Municipal Social and Welfare Development (MSWD) immediately distributed food packs, alcohol-based disinfectants, and face masks. Congresswoman Ruth Hernandez also visited the Center with relief supplies. Through this visit, the congresswoman learnt about life in the village. It led her to invite Goducate to draw up a proposal for the materials needed for the reconstruction of the damaged houses of those evacuees.

The evacuees were able to return home on Nov 2 after a night at the center, but many asked whether they could leave their belongings at the Center until such time as their homes were repaired.

Typhoon Rolly was followed by Typhoons Siony and Tonyo, but these were not severe enough to force the villagers to leave their homes. However, these typhoons were followed by Typhoon Ulysses (international name Vamco), which was as strong as Typhoon Rolly and caused severe flooding also.

During Typhoon Ulysses, 20 families (99 individuals) were admitted to the Meek and Lowly Community Center on Nov 12. There they were visited by Barangay officials, who distributed food packs. Because of concern that the Meek and Lowly Center would soon be flooded, the Barangay officials transferred the evacuees to another center after a couple of days.

Goducate supporters also contributed funds for meals for the families and volunteers.

Flood water still on the rise during Typhoon Ulysses
Evacuees in the Center
Distribution of food packs

*Our guest writer is Honeylyn Pereira, a Goducate staff member.

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Goducate helps connect rural communities in the Philippines to the internet

The “new normal” imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic has caused many internet issues, affecting online learning, work-from-home programs, online businesses, and many more. Next to food, clothing, shelter, and electricity, internet connection is now something practically everyone needs.

However, with the limited access to good internet in the Philippines, Filipinos in rural areas are badly affected. Some students need to climb trees or rooftops just to get data.

Although the Goducate Training Center in San Miguel, Iloilo, is in a remote and rural area, it is helping its neighboring communities with internet connections. It is using its existing internet infrastructure to provide internet connection to the surrounding community. College students can still continue their schooling through GTC’s connection. Students do not need to travel to the town or pay high fees to attend online seminars. The nearby elementary school also expressed its gratitude after they got connected.

Goducate staff laying internet cables on roof top.
Internet aerial fixed by Goducate staff

*Our guest writer, Teofy Clarisse Guzon-Decatoria, is a member of staff at Goducate Training Center in San Miguel.