Galing Mo Kid(s) spends day at F*Art

On August 30, more than two dozen children and their academic mentors spent a whole day of fun and learning, sponsored by a Makati-based non-profit organization.  The day-long field exposure centered on business and entrepeneurship.

The children, high academic performers from various rural schools in Metro Manila, spent the morning with Hands On Manila-Galing Mo Kid volunteers at a bake shop in Paranaque City, where they were taught how to bake cookies.

After lunch, the group traveled north to Kamuning in Quezon City to visit F*Art (Fashion Art), a store which doubles as a gallery showcasing products from young Filipino designers and artists.  At the two-story boutique-cum-gallery, owner Viva Andrada provided a short lecture on the basics of entrepeneurship.    

A question-and-answer portion ensued where the kids, at a young age of 10, displayed their above average logic and understanding of socio-economic issues.

“What is your starting capital?”

“What is your monthly average profit?”

“How do you show responsibility towards the community?”

Norie Garcia, executive director of Hands On Manila, expressed excitement about the prospects of their project, which aims to uplift the cause of smart but disadvantaged youth.

“I’m happy that the children, along with their mentors, are enjoying this field trip,” Norie said.  “This is our pilot batch and hopefully the second will experience the same level of fun and learning.”

She also praised young entrepreneurs for their efforts in empowering the economy and encouraged the young to get into business.

“Ang Hands On Manila ay naniniwala na ang pag-unlad ng bansa ay nagmumula sa maliliit na entrepreneurs dahil dito tayo nag-ge-generate ng maraming jobs,” she said. “Kaya sana pag-laki niyo ay pumunta kayo towards entrepreneurship.”

Now in its second year, Hands On Manila-Galing Mo Kid sponsors children from public elementary schools around the Metro, including Nueve de Pebrero and Plainview Elementary schools in Mandaluyong City, and Pembo Elementary in Makati City.

Volunteers from different backgrounds provide the utmost pedagogic experience to their tutees for one quarter in a year.

For more information about Hands On Manila and how to volunteer, please visit www.handsonmanila.org.  More photos on this link.