Hands On Schools: Building Future Leaders and Movers

by Mia T. Padilla
Mahiyainsiyadati, perongayon mas may confidence siya, says Elisa Ambulo
about her only child Carlisa. Similarly, LilianLincuna talks of how timid her
daughter Leriene was. Yet now, the latterhas the courage to speak English and the
determination to excel academically. Mas ginaganahansiyang mag-aral. Ngayon
top 1 nasiyasa class.Another mother describes how her son has become more
caring towards his younger siblings. He now talks of being a good example.
Carlisa, Lilian and other children have been part of Hands On Schools Galing Mo
Kid (HOS GMK) established in 2007. The program was conceptualized to cater to
the untapped needs of high performers in public schools. These high-achieving
students are often neglected, says GiannaMontinola, President of Hands On Manila
(HOM), a non-profit organization that helps recruit volunteers for various NGO
partners.
Many institutions set up vocational schools or livelihood projects. Yet students that
display greater potential, in public schools, often find their needs unmet. For the
past seven years, HOS-GMK has sought to fill this gap by enhancingleadership skills
and creativity in students from Grade 4 through a Heroism module, Grade 5 through
an Entrepreneurship module, and Grade 6 through a Community Service
module.The original participating Elementary Schools werePembo, Nueve de
Febrero, and Plainview.

HOS-GMK Grade 5 mentees of Kapt. Jose Cardones Elementary School sharing their business
proposal.

Each grade, per school, has 10 students who have been recommended by teachers.
From the initial group recommended, final participants areselected through a form
of testing thatincludes written exercises and interviews with a panel. On Saturday
mornings, HOM volunteers mentor the children on lessons related to the modules.

The average student-mentor ratio is two to one, thereby allowing students to have
the personalized supervision they do not get from a class of fifty.
Central to the modules are field trips that provide experience-based learning and
application of abstract concepts. Visits to museums, local barangays, shelters and
business establishments give participants a glimpse into the real world and how
they can make a concrete difference in this world. For Heroism, trips to Old Manila
show how heroes of history fought for the freedom of our country, while visits to
museums show how everyone can also be a hero by using his/her talents. The
National Museum, for instance, proves how artists can create eternal works of
beauty, while the Mind Museum shows how scientists have made the world more
understandable and more efficient.
For Entrepreneurship, students are brought to establishments like Village
Gourmet and Echostore. There they are exposed to the daily grind of a business
including the work and discipline necessary for success. In the Community Service
module, Grade 6 students are brought to local barangays and shelters (for children
and elderly.) There they see the different needs of those around them, and can
assess how they may be of help.
Recently, students from Plainview Elementary were invited by renowned artist
ImpyPilapil to the latters exhibitThird Moon in Altro Mondo, Greenbelt. During an
intimate exchange with the students, Pilapil explained how memories from the past
influenced the creation of her large sculpture pieces in mixed media. The artist was
first introduced to HOS-GMK by her sister Belle, one of the mentors since the
inception of the program. Belle relates the fulfillment that comes with spending time
with the kids. In our own small way, we are able to make a difference, she explains
and proceeds to describe the students keen sense of interest intopics discussed. It
is also wonderful seeing how they appreciate the field trips which other public
school students [rarely] experience.
Grade 5 children, likewise, recently joined the Kiddo-Preneur Bazaar, an annual
activity that allows kids to become entrepreneurs for the day. In line with the
module on Entrepreneurship, the students were tasked to apply concepts learned
and testproducts they cameup. The event, held at the Glorietta Activity Center last
November, provided the venue for children to experience setting up booths, selling
products, and fixing up at the end of the day.

Grade 5 HOS-GMK mentees of Pembo Elementary School at Kiddo-preneur

(photo by Mar Mandelo)

Mar Mandelo, who is connected toan event company, mentored the Pick N Mix
business group. Customers could create their own cereal mix from a variety of
toppings and sauces. It was very memorable for the kids, Mandelo explains. They
were hands on they were able to apply concepts we discussed. They also
experienced how to deal with customers and how to draw people to their product.
Other businesses of HOS-GMK mentees were Go Mix It that sold chocolate shakes
and graham balls and Eat Street that sold local refreshments, sweets and snacks like
nachos, marshmallows, and pretzels.
HOM plans to replicate HOS-GMK in other schools. Recently, Wells Fargo through
its corporate volunteers, are applying the program at Capitan Cardones Elementary
School. Behind the planned expansion is the belief that everyone should be given a
chance to be a leader or a positive mover in society. Exposure outside the classroom
and more personalized attention have created broader minds andcaring individuals
with the confidence to share what they know. HOS-GMK would like to continue
tapping into these potentials that may have otherwise gone unnoticed. As Belle
Pilapil says, one of the best things about being a mentor is being able to witness
the progress of the kids from being timid nine-year-year olds to being confident,
empowered young leaders at the age of 12.