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Goducate in Iloilo starts Barangay Caravan program

A Barangay Caravan is a one-day program consisting of a Health Information Drive, Community Development Lectures, a Medical Mission, and Basketball Training. A barangay (meaning village or district) is the smallest administrative unit in the Philippines.

The first Barangay Caravan was held in Barangay Aglalana, Passi City, Iloilo, on March 25. The event was attended by approximately 200 locals of all ages.

“This idea of barangay caravan was made because we want to accommodate all ages in just one setting. It is an effective blend of compassionate health care and strategic community development,” said Leanne Jurisprudencia, the Caravan’s team leader. In the past, teams offering different components of the Caravan would visit a barangay separately.

In Barangay Aglalana, the community development workers shared about hypertension and diabetes to the elderly, while basic parenting was discussed with the mothers and fathers in the community. The children were also taught about basic proper hygiene.

Two medical doctors and one dentist also came from Iloilo city to provide free health service to the locals.  And Goducate volunteers gave out free antibiotics and vitamins as prescribed..

Meanwhile, the GoBasket team coached young schoolboys in basketball.

Also, free haircuts were provided for men and young boys, and black rubber shoes for everyone who attended the program.

“We are really lucky that Goducate came here in Aglalana and gave us free check- ups and free medicines. And there are free shoes also,” said Miss Jhanette Palma, one of the beneficiaries of the program.

“The goal of this program is not just to provide medical care and assistance to communities with little access but also to reach out and open doors to different barangay of target municipalities to share compassion. We aim to reach all of the Philippines through this platform,” Ma’am Leanne stated.

*Our guest writer is Diana Joy Dubria, a trainee at the Goducate Training Center in Iloilo

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Goducate’s Sing Your English welcomed in Samosir, Sumatra

Goducate’s Sing Your English (SYE) program has now been introduced into public schools in Samosir, the island in the middle of Lake Toba in Sumatra. The government plans to develop the places around Lake Toba and Samosir into a tourist destination. So making the place English speaking, like Bali, has to be part of its plans. Hence the SYE program has been warmly welcomed in Samosir, and Goducate is working closely with the Mayor and the education department.

SYE has been running for 4 years in Indonesia. During this time we have taught over 11,000 students in private schools in Batam, Pekanbaru, Medan, and Bandung. The program teaches English through catchy songs and lots of actions. The “fun” nature of the program has made it very popular with students, and even parents have been impressed to hear their children at home mouthing what they have learnt.

By Myrel, Head of SYE

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Children at Goducate Children’s Home in Cambodia have artistic talent

This current lunar year is the year of the dog. When Goducate sponsor MHC Asia Group wanted to produce postcards as corporate gifts for its clients during the recent Chinese New Year, it asked the children at the Goducate Children’s Home in Cambodia to draw dogs.

MHC was spoilt for choice. They were offered 14 drawings by 11 artists. They chose 2.

Click to see the postcard

The artists range in age from 10 to 20. The school at the Home does not offer formal art training. However, a visitor to the Home had taught the children some basic principles of drawing — eg, how to gauge size and proportions. Amazing what the children have been able to produce with that little bit of training.