Reading to Learn

Mary Mcleod Bethune once remarked, “The whole world opened to me when I learned to read,” And it is indeed true. Reading is an effective way to discover what the world has to offer. With this in mind, Mission Ministries Philippines (MMP) and Action for the Care & Development of the Poor in the Philippines, Inc. (ACAP) joined forces again in training their childcare volunteers to teach how to read.

The seminar was held last March 30, 2023, at the ACAP office in Paranaque. It was attended by 30 of its volunteers.

The speakers, Dr. Chonabelle Domingo, President and CEO of MMP, and Ms. Erlyn B. Isidro, facilitated this whole-day event.

Apart from the importance of reading, the process of reading, stages of writing, and lesson planning, the speakers also tackled the Marungko approach, a technology MMP has adopted to teach children how to read in Filipino. Based on MMP’s experience, children can read in just one month by using this approach through its book BIP BIP or Bilis sa Pagbasa ng Batang Isip-Pinoy.

A workshop was also done for the application of what they learned. The volunteers were able to develop stories and activities that they could use.

Brigada Pagbasa: M Lhulier and Mission Ministries Philippines- A Joined Project

November 26, 2021, marked a significant event where  MLhuillier, one of the  largest and most reputable non-bank financial institutions that provide immediate monetary needs in the Philippines and Mission Ministries Philippines – a Christian  NGO  that sets up developmentally appropriate practices in Preschool designed for the indigent joined forces in response to the call of the Department of Education to address the reading Problem of Filipino Children through a program called “Brigada Pagbasa: Reading Remediation Training.

This project aligns with the Millennium Development Goal 2: Achieve Universal Primary Education, Education For All (EFA) Goal On Improving the Quality of Education And Every Child A Reader Program (ECARP), through Department of Education Division memorandum  No. 93 series 2013, ”Launching the Arrest the frustration Readers Program ( AFRP) in Grades 1,2,3. “Arrest the Frustration Readers Program in Grades 1, 2, and 3 as a reading program initiative.

Teacher Erlyn Isidro from MMP facilitated a 3 hours training session with more than 60 teachers from Camarin Elementary School in Caloocan City.  She discussed the Reading Strategy formally endorsed by the Department of Education using the Marungko Approach. An approach used in MMP’s book – Bipbip (Bilis sa Pagbasa ng Batang Isip-Pinoy), tested on its technology on teaching Reading for a minimum of 1 month. The authors and consultants are from the University of the Philippines. 

3rd Refresher Course – “Child Discipline in an Online and Face to Face Platform”

One of the many difficulties parents and teachers are encountering nowadays is disciplining the children.  The new normal of teaching made it more challenging for teachers to correct the behaviors of their students. To address this issue, Mission Ministries Philippines had its 3rd refresher course entitled “Child Discipline in an Online and Face to Face Platform” last October 9, 2021, facilitated by Prof. Claribel “Bing” Amihan.

Teacher Bing explained the importance of developing self-discipline in the child by explaining the rules and the benefits of following the rules. The child will be motivated to do what is right no matter how difficult and challenging it is.

The topic was divided into 4 subtopics: a) Definition of terms, b) Characteristics of Children c) Goals of Discipline d) Discipline guidelines e) Take care of the self. Teacher Bing had not only discussed the main topic about discipline but broadened it by explaining on understanding the child and the environment he or she may be in. Adding to the child’s development and how gadgets and the internet have been affecting the child.

The webinar was attended by 100 participants. And due to public request, another date was set last November 27, 2021, to cater to other participants who were not able to attend the first webinar. This was the first time MMP’s webinars had a repeat.

Raising Next Generation of Transformational Leaders – A Fundraising Campaign

In a call to continue the mission of raising children who will be the next generation of transformational leaders, Mission Ministries Philippines launched its first fundraising campaign via zoom last November 6, 2021. Friends and supporters of MMP from different parts of the world joined the said meeting.

Dr. Natalie Chan, Director of the Bethel Bible Seminary in Hong Kong gave a heartfelt message on how MMP’s mission has a great impact on her. She believes in what MMP has been doing for the last 37 years of its existence. 

The meeting also launched the MMPro Kidz Society to further the mission of reaching out to the marginalized children in our society. The project’s aim is to create a transformative change for the children and families. MMP calls for support and being an MMP Champion. The donations can make a big difference to the future generation.

The pandemic has affected MMP’s finances, hitting a deficit of $23,000.00 for the year 2021. This was the first time MMP conducted a fundraising campaign to ask its friends and supporters for help. By God’s grace, many have responded positively. In the latest report, MMP was able to raise the said amount. In addition, others are committing to be part of the MMP Pro Kids Society. In a way, fundraising campaigns is to empower the donors in giving and be a channel of blessings to others. They are called by God to be part of our journey to God’s missions.

ACAP – MMP SEMINAR

Mission Ministries Philippines (MMP) and Action for the Care and Development of the Poor in the Philippines (ACAP) joined the venture with a 5-day online seminar held last September 16, 23, 24, 30 and, October 1.

The seminar aims to equip their parent-volunteers in their tutorial projects with the underprivileged children in the communities of Paranaque.

Topics were designed to prepare the volunteers for their mission. In the seminar Ms. Chonabelle Domingo, CEO/President of MMP tackled the Importance of Parenting Education and the Philosophy of Early Childhood Education.  Involvement of parents The in their child’s education is vital with the child’s success.  Ms. Domingo stressed that parents should anchor their strength to God as He is the source of everything and He designed each child with a purpose.  She also discussed the nature of children and how each child develops.

Other topics were Love Languages of Children, Child Discipline, Teaching through Play facilitated by Ms. Aida Acorda, and Reading using the Marungko Approach shared by Ms. Erlyn Isidro.

ACAP is a non-profit organization that aims to empower marginalized youth through a combination of education, social development,  health, and nutritional feeding programs.  ACAP Executive Director Ms. Didith van der Linden and Ms. Maria Baylon, the Programs Director made this partnership possible.

Building Bridges to the New Normal in Early Childhood Education (ECE 1 and 2 Seminars)

At the beginning of the school year 2021-2022 in education, Mission Ministries Philippines headed the training for partner schools and guest participants engaged in early childhood education with its seminars in Early Childhood Education level 1 and 2  last August 12 –14 and 18-20. This year’s theme is Building Bridges to the New Normal in Early Childhood Education.

The seminar aims to help teachers and parents to address the stresses and other related effects to the children brought by the pandemic. 

Topics were all designed to help teachers navigate the new system in teaching preschoolers and even their parents with the new normal.

Speakers who are experts in their field shared their knowledge that even in online classes, the Developmentally Appropriate Practices ( DAP ) can still be done. As long as we can embrace the principles of DAP, technology can be an effective tool for teaching children. The main idea is to know how the development and learning of each child. It can help in assessing the progress and the ways teachers can help the children learn.

Another matter was maximizing the role of parents. Studies showed a positive correlation between parent involvement and student success. Moreover, in an online class, both parents and teachers share the load in teaching the child. 

Times have changed a lot in just almost two years of this pandemic.  Homeschooling is now the main option in terms of education. The use of technology increased phenomenally and brought another problem in Screen time and technology addiction. How much is too much time on screen time?

The Level 2 seminar also addressed the challenges to the administrators and school principals.