Looking In, Reaching Out

 

By Singapore Polytechnic

The expedition lasted for 25 days in Region 6, Iloilo, of the Republic of the Philippines. The 19 students-volunteers led by 1 team leader-lecturer and 1 team facilitator-lecturer were engaged in various projects such as the electrical installation for houses in the Gawad Kalinga estate and skills training to high school students. Together, the team had a common vision of bettering the lives of the people of Barangay Lo-ong, Concepcion, Iloilo.

This project was actually a continuation of the side project by Singapore Polytechnic’s expedition team in previous years. Last year’s team had managed to do electrical installation work for 10 Gawad Kalinga houses. This year, the team leader decided to focus in this area due to the strong demand from the locals. Wiring and electrification were done for the 25 Gawad Kalinga houses in the Gawad Kalinga 2 Bajawan Sur Village and at Lo-ong Bukid. These houses which the team performed electrification on were housing for the poor and underprivileged families. It is noteworthy that this is the first time that Singapore Polytechnic has carried out electrification work in both project site locations.

The local students at 2 high schools, Lo-ong National High School and Roberto H. Tirol National High School, were introduced to the basics of the three core productivity applications under the Microsoft Office Suite through IT Teaching sessions conducted by the team. These students were also exposed to Fencing as one of the team members is a member of the Singapore National Fencing team.

The team also arranged for handicrafts, mathematics and puzzle solving sessions with the students of Lo-ong Elementary School and Nipa Elementary School. Stuff introduced includes the making of friendship bands, solving the Rubik’s Cube, Sudoku and card tricks. Despite the short nature of the stay, the team had indeed accomplished what they set out to achieve and the memories and friendships formed through this expedition will last for a lifetime. After all, “Gawad Kalinga” is a Filipino term which means “To give care out of love.”

http://www.sp.edu.sg/SPweb/appmanager/eee/home?_nfpb=trueT45003369331195901

 


Causes/Issues: Education

 

 

« Back to Projects