Innovate for Good Manila

Mano Amiga Institutional Development Manager, Grace Cadenilla shares her experience.

I was sitting beside software developers and game designers listening to them talk about the latest advancement in technology and there I thought I was in another dimension, space and time, clueless of every word. Technology isn’t exactly my strength so it seemed very surreal for me to be a part of it.

Having no I.T. background, I felt out of place and worried about the fact that I might not add any value to the discussion. But since we’re not exactly going back to the age of typewriters, I thought it was the perfect opportunity for me to learn and adapt with technology.

Day 1: Problem framing, solution brainstorming and visual prototype planning. There were 10 teams with different problems. My team focused on enabling NGOs to achieve greater social impact and because technological skills weren’t to my advantage, I had to use my wild imagination and ask myself as an NGO worker, what help would I need? We came up with an idea to create a virtual community connecting individuals, non-profit organizations and corporations to collaborate and co-create to help shape a more competitive Philippines.

We aim to transform communities where more and more individuals are seeking to create social change in the society because of the ease of access to necessary support in executing their ideas and solutions to the social problems that they see. We also recognize that it is difficult to get someone to care. And we believe that it is due to the lack of awareness and education why social change is necessary. We aim to inform our people that it is cool to care about our community.

Day 2: Visual prototype presentation. The judges were able to point out the strengths and weaknesses of each of the projects. For us, there’s still a long way to go and there are hundreds of challenges ahead but with all the speakers who were able to inspire us and made us realize that those challenges make the fight worth it, they were able to inspire everyone to materialize our ideas, which is exactly what my team and I are working on today. As for me, the forum has now helped me to embrace technology, as we are moving towards making our project come to life.

Microsoft showcased the latest ideas that won in the Imagine cup. Every minute was a moment of astonishment and wonder. Microsoft also showcased Windows 8, how it’s built to be a rich and extensible media platform to learn, connect, create and make things possible through technology. I immediately thought how Windows 8 could be very useful in shaping our students in Mano Amiga and make learning more fun, interactive and engaging for them.

My fellow participants and all the people behind the forum gave a whole new meaning to the word youth. Our challenges in making a better world are endless but as long as someone moves and does something about it, we will always be one step closer to our goal. I am fortunate to be part of Innovate for Good. I am overwhelmed with the plethora of ideas and the solutions from like-minded individuals. It is both humbling and overwhelming to work alongside these bright innovators. It is more humbling to know that we’re collaborating to create a much-needed innovation in our country.

Indeed, Microsoft and Gawad Kalinga through Innovate for Good are paving the way to create a borderless society where people are working towards one common goal and purpose; ending our pressing issues like hunger, poverty, human trafficking and pollution through technology.

Children helping children: No help is too small

November last year, Mommy Amigas launched the iCan Change for Change campaign- a fundraising campaign that encouraged the Everest community to save their loose change in order to help provide scholarships for the students in Mano Amiga Academy.

As a result of the generosity of the Everest students, they were able to raise enough funds to provide a full-year scholarship for Rhian Belle Ynona Balwit, a kindergarten student in Mano Amiga Academy.

It is truly heartwarming to see how Everest kids are openhandedly helping other kids to have a better future and a quality education like they do.

Rhian together with her mom, personally thanked the Mommy Amigas and the Everest students for sending her to school for another year.

During the Assembly, the Everest students didn’t know who Rhian was until she spoke to express her heartfelt gratitude for their generosity in providng her a full-year scholarship. The students were more than surprised, they could not believe how far their loose change have gone. They were inspired how great a small act of kindness can set the foundation for someone’s brighter future.

In many ways both big and small, children helping other children make the world a better place.

Kindergarten moving up day

It was a lovely day in Mano Amiga as the kindergarten wore their graduation robes and caps. Each of them came with their sweet smiles as they all shared their achievements with their parents.

The year has passed by with meaningful learnings. Most of the kids started the school year not knowing how to read or write a single word but they have developed in such a way that they now read to their parents, to themselves and to their playmates.

The day started with a prayer led by Father Michael Shannon, LC to

thank the goodness of the Lord for all his blessings and to continue to

guide these little ones to grow and become compassionate individuals.

The kids eagerly listened to President Jun Alvendia as he opened the program with the message of humility from the Pope. They were all reminded that in everything they do, they should not forget to thank the Lord in prayer, never forget the poor and that what matters in life are our family and our faith.

 

The students were all so excited as they were called one by one to receive their diplomas along with their proud parents.

They all sang their graduation song, I believe I can fly as though they were a bunch of little angels serenading the crowd.

The program was closed by Mano Amiga's Institutional Development Manager, Grace Cadenilla by reminding them not to stop dreaming, to keep nurturing their imagination and not forget to look back and help ease the strife of those in need.

It was not only a day to recognize the success of the children but also the great effort of our teachers and our principal for going above and beyond in teaching our students. There students are the proof of their hard work.

Kindergarten is over and the next years will be just as special.

1st Everest Academy Basketball Festival

Two of our scholars brought home one gold medal and two bronze medals from the recently held Basketball Festival in Everest Academy last March 16, 2013. 

Playing against Ateneo de Manila University and Everest Academy International School, our grade 3 scholars Angelo Dimailig and John Alrich Valencia showed off their basketball talents winning gold and bronze in the dunking and shooting category.

The students did not only enjoy playing but they also enjoyed the sumptuous food from Bisrto 3846.

This day will not be possible without the help of Ms. Anna Puno, Coach Tyrone Limon and Everest Academy for inviting Mano Amiga to the event.

First Holy Communion

We thank the Lord for the wonderful grace of our 27 students who were able to receive their First Holy Communion at Our Lady of the Poor last February 23, 2013.

The mass was celebrated by Father Michael Shannon, LC, Mano Amiga's school chaplain.

Not only was it a joyful day for our children and the parish community it was also a momentous event for Mano Amiga as our students took another step in their journey of strengthening their faith.