Wearing many hats

This Filipina wears many hats. Like this Filipina of many talents, it appears I might have to continue to wear many hats such as

• Fellow at Stanford University, USA


• part-time Practicum Supervisor with NIE,


• Member of REACH Policy Study Workgroup for Education and Human Capital Excellence,


• Int'l Quality Inspector with City and Guilds, London, etc
  
  

Moving on

Dear Friends

I've had a wonderful learning journey in the nonprofit sector in Singapore, working with the following:

• a talented Board,



• generous partners who believe in our vision and mission



• supportive and encouraging grant-makers



• appreciative NPO Executive Directors and their Boards who know how to re-charge themselves by participating in our leadership development programs

I even had time to volunteer to build a community (not just houses) with another nonprofit organisation.

Let's stay in touch!

Thomas Chong

Building schools within Gawad Kalinga communities

The children love to experiment, to discover, to play to learn and learn through play.

Indeed, using things around them, they learn through multiple senses as they see, listen, touch and even taste. Montessori methods can work so wonderfully well here as children go about doing what they like. And why not? Because they like what they do too!

They look happy, and are indeed happy and

appreciative of the opportunities and love provided to them.

Another critical aspect of our work is to tap on high-level 'influencers' and advocates. They model for us strategic giving, engaging the corporations, and enthusing the masses.

It is really heart-warming then to see the individuals, corporations and Foundations leading the way in giving of themselves and their resources to build communities, and develop people.

Int'l Montessori Convention 2009

It's been an excellent convention in Kuala Lumpur, one of the world's best cities to live and work in.

I'm pleased to share with you the topics that were covered to benefit close to 400 delegates from 20 countries.

Please email me and tell others how they too can grow their skills in social innovation.

Family First.

I was with a dear friend who was terminally ill. In his death-bed, he confided, "Tom, in the weeks that I've been here, I've witnessed so many of my new-found friends ...you know, go. None had ever said he or she missed going to the office. What they missed were times with their loved ones. They wished they had invested more time with family".

Lessons from the Philippines

There is so much to learn from Gawad Kalinga (translated from Tagalog, "to give care"), where I volunteer.

I am encouraged by the generous giving of time (volunteer hours), money and talent by people of diverse backgrounds and expertise to help the poor, the homeless to live within a new community of nice homes, with dignity.

Indeed, more hands make light work, and work that is a whole lot more enjoyable.

Centre4Social Innovation (Singapore)

Welcome to Centre4Social Innovation (Singapore)!

This weekend (30 and 31 May 2009), I shall be among a panel of speakers at the International Montessori Convention in Malaysia, to learn and grow with Montessorians from around the world.

Hundreds of researchers and practitioners passionate about using Montessori methods to enhance teaching and learning as well as to nurture and touch children, shall be in Kuala Lumpur, one of the best places in the world to live and work.

Please check out http://www.montessoriconventions.com/mc_speakers.html

If you have any questions, please email me at mentoringpartner@gmail.com