Entrepreneurship education helps improve lives
THE JPMC Entrepreneurship Education for Community Development (JPMC EECD) helps educate and empower disadvantaged youths and adults in high-need urban communities in the Philippines.
The program is supported by JPMorgan Chase & Co., through the JPMorgan Chase Foundation, and Bayan Academy for Social Entrepreneurship and Human Resources Development (Bayan Academy).
Melinda Bernabe, Edwin Gialolo and Ronnie Boy Flores were among those whowere educated and trained for gainful employment through the program.
Bernabe has set up a hairstyling and foot spa business, Melinda’s Touch, in her hometown, Taytay, Palawan province, after passing the certification examination of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda).
Bernabe currently earns P1,000-P2,500 per week from around 50 regular customers. She is now able to help her parents and provide her children a good education.
Gialolo of Tacloban City, an elementary school dropout, left his family after Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) to try his luck in Manila.
He was saved from a life of scavenging by the Center for Community Transformation (CCT) in Pasay City.
At the CCT shelter in Magdalena, Laguna province, his dormitory parents noticed his interest in preparing food. CCT, a partner of Bayan Academy, invited him to join the Cookery NCII community-based training in its Tagaytay Retreat Center.
When he passed the Tesda assessment test, Gialolo said he was inspired to finish his primary education at the CCT Magdalena School. He worked as kitchen assistant at CCT Magdalena, while he studied.
Flores of Baseco, Tondo, heard about the JPMC EECD training from a friend and was encouraged to join by the free food and uniform and transportation allowance.
He did not take the training seriously but he was offered a job at Reyes Haircutters, a Bayan Academy partner-institution.
Although he knew how to cut, color and perm hair, he started as a janitor. He is now a senior haircutter in the sa- lon’s branch in Anonas, Quezon City.
Speaking in behalf of his classmates during their graduation, Flores promised to put to good use all the things he learned for his and his family’s welfare. He thanked Bayan Academy and JPMorgan for believing in them.
Through the JPMC Entrepreneurship Education for Community Development program, Bayan Academy is set to train 1,049 individuals by the end of the year.
Roberto L. Panlilio, JPMorgan Chase Philippines senior country officer, said a productive and financially capable workforce would help the country achieve economic development and progress.
He said the program also gave their employee volunteers the chance to mentor beneficiaries, share their skills and expertise and extend assistance.
For more information on JPMorgan Chase & Co. Entrepreneurship Education for Community Development program, visit Bayan Academy at 825 Edsa, Quezon City. Call 9203025 or e-mail bayanacademy@gmail.com.