ING Learning Center celebrates its first college graduates

Using sheets of paper and crayons, the alumni of ING Learning Center in Baseco, Manila were asked to illustrate their most memorable experiences while studying in the center.

Some of them sketched an image of their favorite teachers, some listed the names of the friends they met, and some drew images of the activities they enjoyed.

But for 20-year-old Adelyn, the sheet of paper provided was not enough to list down her takeaways from her two years of being an ING Learning Center student. “I value all of my experiences in the center because it helped me become who I am today,” said Adelyn.

She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology last April 3, 2018. She is one of ING Learning Center’s 25 alumni who graduated from college this school year. Adelyn was a student of the learning center from 2007 to 2009.

Since 2007, ING Bank Manila in partnership with World Vision, has been holding regular tutorial sessions for 150 students from grade two to grade four.

ING Learning Center aims to provide learning support for comprehension and numerical skills development with integrated values formation to the youngsters of Baseco Compound, an urban poor community.

Homecoming

One hundred former and present students attended the ING Learning Center Alumni Homecoming event held last May 15, 2018 in Manila. The activity was held to cultivate the relationship of alumni, teachers, and coordinators of ING Learning Center.

“The values formation lessons from the World Vision teachers were helpful for the kids. They’ve learned a lot and they are now applying them in their lives,” said Dom Gavino, ING Foundation Ambassador.

In his speech, Rafael Quimel, World Vision’s Corporate Engagement Specialist, encouraged the youngsters to never stop learning and to share what they learned with others.

“We should continue aiming to achieve our goals in life because our potential ends only when we stop dreaming,” he said.

Paying it forward

Cassandra, 20, a daughter of a tricycle driver and a vendor, is one of the alumni of ING Learning Center who graduated from college this year. She said the support system she got from ING Learning Center helped her finish her studies.

“As a student, I appreciate that they reach out to me whenever I’m experiencing trials in school and even in my personal life. They also give feedback about my school projects and activities,” said Cassandra.

Cassandra also shared that the financial assistance she received from the center was a big help considering that her parents have to send her four other siblings to school as well.

After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, she plans to get a stable job and help her family financially. She also aims to put up her own foundation in the future to help disadvantaged youth like her.

“I learned to be concerned not only for my own welfare but also for the welfare of the people around me,” Cassandra said.

Rocky, 20, another alumnus of ING Learning Center, plans to pay forward what he learned from ING Learning Center by being a teacher himself. He recently graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education.

“I stayed with ING for only a year but everything that I learned from them helped me. I enjoyed our tutorial sessions with the teachers,” Rocky said.

Never stop learning

Teacher Jeramie Mojado, ING volunteer teacher for 12 years, dreams of seeing all the children in Baseco educated. Mojado also grew up in Baseco Compound. “I want to see my neighbors get a better education. I want to thank those organizations who are willing to help,” Mojado said.

Mojado and other ING teachers underwent capacity building training on positive discipline, mentoring skills, and children’s rights facilitated by World Vision.

“I feel fulfilled that we, in some ways, inspired these children to do good in their studies,” Mojado said.

ING and World Vision hope to expand the ING Learning Center ministry to cater and train more children in Baseco Compound in the future.

“It is inspiring and motivating to see the impact of the project on these children. No matter how big or small the initiatives are, they have an impact on our students as they grow up,” shared Abigail Bayucan, World Vision’s ING Learning Center Project Coordinator.

World Vision/June 18, 2018

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World Vision is a global Christian relief, development and advocacy organisation dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender.

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