Teach 15,000 rural kids to save and invest

These days can be consider as our darkest period. Facing the course of pandemic since early 2020 up to present caused a drastic change to our manner of living. Accustomed tasks has been changed differently thus scrutinizing new marketing strategies and programs that will perfectly suit to what we call the “New Normal”.

Despite the pandemic, the Mandaue City Public Market Vendors Multi-purpose Cooperative (MAVENCO) has continued showing our support towards our partner schools. One of which is through distribution of school materials used for modules as well as revisiting all partner schools. In accordance to the IATF guidelines we have started to implement programs such as; conducting various of webinars such as Gender Sensitivity Training, Leadership Training, Internet Addiction, Mental Health Training and others; Limited face to face for a Monthly Theatre Workshop; Online competitions like Leaflets/Poster Making contest and other digital related competitions; and supporting schools during the Brigada Eskwela Campaign. Statistically speaking, as of July 2021 MAVENCO has over 40 partner schools with approximately 15,000 total number of children savings and has garnered over 10 Million pesos worth of savings deposits.

Let us take a trip down memory lane before the pandemic. A drastic increase in savings depositors and their deposits has been observed. The teachers have assisted us in providing trainings to imbibe the Aflatoun program which resulted to a successful implementation in our partner schools. Conducting entrepreneurial trainings and seminars to the youth have been smoothly achieved. The yearly General Assembly and Elections to the Aflatoun members have also been executed. Building rapport towards schools by acknowledging the efforts of teachers, teacher coordinator, and school principal though giving them tokens or certificates during special occasions (like teachers’ day) or even in a random school visit.

For the advancement of the aflatoun program in our cooperative we classified certain programs and activities in the following areas; Basic Life Skills Trainings (e.g. Summer camp, Disaster Risk Reduction Management Training, Basic life support Training and others), Personality Development Trainings (e.g. Teambuilding Activities, Self Awareness, Value Formations, Counselling and others), Digital Trainings (e.g. Basic Photoshop, Photography, Website Development, Excel,  Microsoft and Powerpoint Training) Entrepreneurial Trainings (e.g. Livelihood Trainings, Theater Productions, Aflatoun Garage Store, and others), and Other Activities (Tree Planting, Dance and Singing Workshops, and other seminars). These are our upcoming activities that are facing challenges in being implemented due to the pandemic.

We cannot deny the fact that today’s pandemic is a huge hindrance to our program. It has to be ended soon so that we can move without constraints though we cannot foresee what is coming next, at least we are tough enough to handle the circumstances. Afterwards, MAVENCO is looking forward to the development of our partner schools, teachers, especially to our depositors to become globally competitive and to become model citizens that we can always be proud of. For the massive expansion of the Aflatoun Program by implementing and innovating programs. For intensive partnership of LGU, NGO, DepEd, other cooperatives, and NATCCO to have amicable relationship for the growth and development of Aflatoun as well as the MAVENCO.

As the world struggle with the extraordinary challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, young people in GSAC are not hindered to make their own way of making a meaning out of the pandemic.

2020 begins with a grateful heart for the youth of Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative (GSAC) by giving back to the elders in the Home for the Aged here in our province. January 4, 2020 marked a memorable activity for our youth because they’ve been a part of the Visitation and Gift-giving Activity for the elders staying at the Home for the Aged. 50 Aflatoun members and GSAC staff participated in the said activity.

The experience was heart-warming both for the children and the elderly. We prepared a short program to entertain them and we brought food that is suitable with their diet. We also donated supplies, electric fans and mattresses that will be useful for them. Through this activity, the children and the elders created new experiences and memories together that will always remind them that they are loved and cared for.

To GSAC’s youth who are plant-usiasts, the Home Gardening Campaign launched by the NATCCO Children and To GSAC’s youth who are plant0usiasts, the Home Gardening Campaign launched by the NATCCO Children and Youth Team is a great opportunity for them to take part in the call for the action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal #13 Climate Action. This is a 10-week home gardening campaign that started on the first week of August and ended in October 2020 wherein two of GSAC’s plant-usiasts joined and accepted the challenge to fight climate change and reaped what they have sowed for winning a consolation prize and the 2^nd prize which was awarded last October 19, 2020.

As we are alarmed by the report on increasing percentage of Filipinos experiencing involuntary hunger—mostly children, GSAC answered the call to end hunger and took part in the 10.10 campaign on October 10, 2020, spearheaded by Gawad Kalinga in partnership with NATCCO and other development partners. This campaign was a nationwide simultaneous feeding of 10,000 kids wherein GSAC fed 40 children from our chosen barangay beneficiary. We consider this campaign a meaningful activity to celebrate the cooperative month.

As the saying goes, “Art and young people have always walked hand-in-hand because engaging the youth in the arts can promote positive and powerful social change in different forms.

GSAC youth also believe in this, that’s why they didn’t hesitate to become part of the collaborative vision of our local community and the local talented artists in transforming our coastal road into and art hub for local talented artists. Some of our Aflatoun members joined in this three-day Mural painting activity called Bandal: “Kulay san Gubat” which happened last October 25-25, 2020. Through this activity, they have exhibited their talents and skills that would benefit local tourism and create an avenue for art enthusiasts.

Tapping into our young people’s skills to speak up for climate action, GSAC Youth and Aflatoun members participated in the Online Training of Trainers on Climate Action on Youth last November 25-26, 2020. By this way, we can raise their voices to protect the future of our planet through their participation in addressing climate change.

To meaningfully celebrate our 57^th Founding Anniversary last April 8, 2021, we hosted an Online Aflatoun Day Call via Zoom entitled, “Bata, Kumusta Ka sa Panahon ng Pandemya?” The activity aims to connect and listen to our Aflatouners as they share their personal experiences during the pandemic as we find digital platforms as the best channel for the young people in our cooperative to share their voices and highlight their experiences. Though this activity, they inspired each other to deal with the anxiety brought by the fact that they are not allowed to do their usual activities outside and they cannot go to school to study.

Another highlight of GSAC’s Founding Anniversary celebration was the Rondalla performance by the GSAC Rondalla Group composed of Aflatoun members. This group was created through the inspiration of Mr. Delfin and his wife, Ms. Heide. This is a way of celebrating the talents of our youth by showcasing their talents in playing different musical instruments and developing healthy social habits.

Despite of the limitations brought by the pandemic, these are the highlights of our youth’s simple efforts to make a difference in their lives and the lives of others in their own little ways, Aflatoun and Coop Laboratory members of GSAC commits to continue their habit of saving and in believing and developing their talents and skills with the help of their guardian cooperatives. The fire in their hearts will continue to burn as they continue on their journey towards becoming the change they wish to see in the world.

Links:

• Gubat St. Anthony Cooperative - Aflatoun Day Call 2021