Looking Back at YGoal's Learn From Home Program

 Last year, as the COVID-19 pandemic rendered the world helpless, YGoal's Chief Executive Officer, JR Demacais and I planned a program for families and teachers, as well as allied professionals who are looking after children at home and from home. The adjustment and response to change was overwhelming. Many were confused, lost and anxious. Mustering our courage, we soldiered on.

With YGoal's guidance and support, we were able to design the Learn From Home (LFH) Program by listening and featuring families that have pivoted and shifted to the "new normal". We had three interviews with parents and their children sharing the challenges they encountered and the strategies they applied to pull through. 2020 was the year of pain, grit and resilience. It was not an easy journey, but we did learn that the pandemic can bring out the best in people and the family has to remain a strong unit for society to survive.

We are now preparing for the second run of Learn From Home (LFH) 2021 through a Parents' Hour. But before we connect with parents and families, a review of the learning and insights gained from LFH 2020 is necessary. This way, we are able to connect our learning with new discoveries that await us this year.

For starters, here is a poster of what LFH Season 1 Episode 1 was all about. The Madrid Family shared their response to the changes brought by the pandemic. Click the link to watch the video and read up the blog post as additional resources. If you are parent, a teacher or an allied professional working with and for children, we hope to see you on the first session of YGoal's LFH Parents' Hour.

Feed the Children Campaign by Pumplepie Books & Happiness

 Early this month of October, I had a wonderful interview with the family of Alexine Parreno and Nong Madrid about family life in the time of COVID-19. Our conversation focused on the set up they have for their only daughter, Adriana. The interview was the episode premiere for season 1 of The Learn From Home program which I manage for YGoal, a social entrepreneurship, business, consultancy and leadership training company. You can watch the full interview by following this link: Learn From Home: Setting Up an Environment for Learning.

A few weeks after the interview, I heard good news from Alexine. An amazing thing happened! Their family was inspired to organize a community outreach project. Through Alexine's Online Bookstore, Pumpliepie Books & Happiness, they are coordinating with Gawad Kalinga for a Feeding Program in Silay, Negros Occidental.

Below is the project brief. This project is Adriana's 10th birthday celebration party. Feed the body and nourish the mind!

PROJECT       :           Feed the Children Campaign by Pumplepie Books & Happiness

PARTNERS    :           Gawad Kalinga and Filipino children’s book publishers

GOAL              :           To raise P240,000 to feed 100 children for 120 days

COMMUNITY  :           Sitio Dacutan, Silay City, Negros Occidental

DURATION     :           October 18 to November 18, 2020

 

Background

Right after our interview for Ygoal, Adriana says she realized we were very fortunate and asked, “How come we are not doing more to help other families?” She said that every day the news reports that more and more Filipinos are suffering from the pandemic.Since her birthday is coming up on November 21 and we normally hold promos, I said she could decide on her 10th birthday project and we would support her all the way. Adriana immediately decided she wanted to help children who are hungry.

 

We partnered with Gawad Kalinga for their ongoing #BeAHungerWarriorCampaign . Through them we learned that SWS surveys show that the number of hungry families between Dec. 2019 and Sept. 2020 have more than tripled, with the bulk of them in the Visayas and Mindanao. GK is gathering pledges at P20 per meal per child per day. P2,400 can feed one child 120 meals over 120 days.

 

Our hometown is Silay City, Negros Occidental in the Visayas so we have selected to support a community in Sitio Dacutan in Silay City. The goal is to raise P240,000 to feed 100 children for 120 days.

 

 

Mechanics

1. Pumplepie to raffle off 10 book bundles donated by Filipino children’s book publishers. Value of each bundle is between P3,000-P5,000 (no final cost yet)
2. To join the raffle, participants must pledge a minimum of P100 (equivalent to 5 meals). P100 Pledge = 1 Raffle entry. A pledge of P2,400 (120 meals for 1 child) is automatically entitled to 50 raffle entries. 
3. Promo duration is October 18 to November 18, 2020. Winners will be electronically drawn on Adriana’s 10th birthday, November 21, 2020.
4. Feeding in the chosen community will also commence on November 21.