THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
newsletter O C T O B E R
Capinahan Primary School The children are transported to school daily in the bus, they are fed a nutritious meal every day and as we all know a well fed â–¶body is a well fed mind! READ MORE ON PAGE 13
Before and After the Typhoon Portia En Shakespeare writes in her own words about life before Typhoon Haiyan and becoming one of the families who live in the GSF village READ MORE ON PAGE 19
2 0 1 8
TO FULLY ENJOY THE INTERACTIVE CONTENT PLEASE READ THE ONLINE VERSION AT WWW.GREGSECKERFOUNDATION.COM/NEWSLETTER
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION
newsletter BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
OCTOBER 2018
Welcome to the October Newsletter When you read through this newsletter you will find it difficult to believe that two years ago, this village was bare land in the hills of Lemery, and when you look at what has been achieved over that time it is just incredible. 100 families are now living in safe and secure houses, many of which came from temporary shanty homes that were built after that the terrifying Typhoon in 2013. They had
1
lost their homes, livelihoods and their future looked bleak. Since moving in to the village in January 2018, everything changed for the better. With a secure roof now over their heads, they can now concentrate on their future: Livelihood & Sustainability programmes are in place, Job prospects are more accessible, The Alternative Learning System which is a Further Education course for those
13
that did not get the opportunity when they were at school is already proving successful. And, the local primary school, The Capinahan School, has quadrupled in numbers since January! This is a phenomenal increase in children now attending every day and we are so pleased that they are now getting the education that they need for their future. We are always looking at ways to help our families and children in the village. If you are interested in sponsoring a child through their education please do get in touch to hear how you can help. Sammy.schwind@ gregseckerfoundation.com Finally, outside of the GSF Village, Greg and the GSF team have been busy too. After attending a fundraiser with the Naked Heart Foundation, Greg and Rachel were invited to attend a fashion show in Paris. And, Dean Russell joined Greg at the Starkey Hearing Foundation Gala in the US and tells us how he became part of such an inspirational journey. We hope you enjoy reading our news and stories ….
19
LIFE IN THE VILLAGE
CAPINAHAN PRIMARY SCHOOL
LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER TYPHOON
THE VILLAGE HAS BEEN OPEN FOR NINE MONTHS NOW
A YEAR AGO, THIS SCHOOL WAS JUST ONE BUILDING WITH AN ATTENDANCE OF JUST 31 CHILDREN
ONE OF OUR BENEFICIARIES WRITES ABOUT LIFE BEFORE TYPHOON AND MOVING INTO THE GSF VILLAGE
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
LIFE IN THE GSF VILLAGE INDIA ROSE BREAD AND PASTRY BAKERY OPENS IN THE VILLAGE As part of the sustainability and livelihood programme in the village we are pleased to announce that a Bakery has opened. This will be run by the beneficiaries themselves and consists of 3 bakers and 3 delivery men. The wives have also offered to help pack the bread into the bags ready for delivery. To get the bakery open and ready
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
for the first day of baking took a lot of team work – the men were busy welding their bread sheet racks, setting up the ovens, welding cooling racks, buying ingredients and setting it all up. Once everything was in place, they spent the first day preparing all the ingredients and testing their produce, making sure everything was perfect and to scale. Now the bakery has been up and running for a month and it really is in full swing. The aroma of fresh bread can be smelt all around the village. Every day
the bakers start baking the night before and then by 5 am the hot bread is ready for delivery. The delivery men deliver one batch ▶
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
1
of Pandesal/Buns around the GSF Village – straight to the families doorsteps! And the other selection of bread rolls (up to 3,000 daily) are delivered to the Talipapa and the Grocery store for sale and then into Lemery. To make sure that we had the right caliber of Bakers we asked the Northern Iloilo Polytechnic College to send two professional from the department of community and extension, an owner of a bakery and a full time baker, Dzen Patricia, DR Sanico and Roberto Nonato (our village president) to assist with the interviews. The Bakers were chosen because of their skills, experience, attitude and commitment to the project.
GSF signature loaf NIPC will help and advise us in the running of the Bakery to ensure that it is set to the highest standard possible and becomes well known in the Barangay. In the future, with their help, we hope to market our own bread that becomes the GSF signature loaf, made with our own ‘signature ingredients’. We are so proud of our families – yet another livelihood and sustainable project that will ensure that these families are not only earning money but feeding good nourishing food to their community too. Watch this space, one day the bread could be seen on the supermarket shelves worldwide.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
RANIE AND REDEN WATER METER READERS IN THE VILLAGE TWO MORE JOBS IN THE VILLAGE – WATER METER READERS You have to be trustworthy, reliable and committed to do this job, so it made perfect sense to offer it to two of our respected young men in the village: Ranie Olayon and Reden Pamplona. Every house in the GSF Village has a water meter and at the end of every month the meters need reading. Our two students; Ranie and Reden are both in further
education and to help them with the financial strain of paying for college books, travel to college and other expenses have employed them as our Water Meter readers in the village. Ranie Olayon, 22 years old, is taking up a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology at Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College and is in his 3rd year. His father Rolando, is our school bus driver and his mother Rosalia, a housekeeper. Ranie has five other siblings who are all in school.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
2
Ranie is the eldest among his siblings and has a bit of pressure to finish his studies. He told us that once he has graduated, he hopes to get a good job so he is able to help his family in the future. Being a water meter reader in the village and earning P1,000 monthly is a huge help towards his school expenses. There are times that he knows that his parents are struggling with money so he would rather use his own and also share it amongst his other siblings. Ranie loves reading books during his free time and helps in any household chores during weekends. He dreams to become successful in his chosen field and to help his parents and siblings by improving their economic status in the future. He is very grateful to the foundation for having this opportunity and especially for the employment of his father being the school shuttle bus driver. Reden Pamplona, a 19 year old Alternative Learning System graduate and currently enrolled at Northern Iloilo Polytechnic State College taking up a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (1st year level). His mother Famela, works in Manila as a housekeeper and his stepfather Robert is very supportive to Reden whilst his mother is away working. Reden is very responsible for his age and also looks after his younger brother whenever he can. He is a real homebody person and loves to explore the world by surfing on the internet. The reasons he took up the course was for the love of his computer!
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
RANIE
Earning P1,000 monthly lasts up to 2 weeks, and goes towards his allowance in school. His dream is to be a successful computer programmer and to improve the economic living condition of his family. He is very thankful to the foundation not only for the job offered as a working student, but for having a stable house and a free shuttle service to Lemery. He is looking forward to the day that his mother does not have to work away from home anymore. Alya, our social worker, tells us that Reden is one of the active youth in the village, with potential of leadership in the future. On the 25th of every month, the two boys visit every house in the village and firstly read the meters. They then log all the readings into the computer and then give each house owner an invoice. On the 5th of the month, they collect the money, give every house owner a receipt and hand
RADEN
YOU HAVE TO BE TRUSTWORTHY, RELIABLE AND COMMITTED TO DO THIS JOB JUST LIKE RANIE AND REDEN ARE all money to the Treasurer of the Homeowners Association. Well done to you both – you are an inspiration to what can be achieved with commitment and hard work. ▜
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
3
THE GSF TEAM DECIDED TO EMPLOY A BOOKKEEPER AND JOHN KENNETH WAS HIRED
JOHN KENNETH
AND A BOOKKEEPER IS HIRED IN THE VILLAGE TOO A few months ago we talked about the graduation of some of the students from the village. One young man who graduated with a Cum Laude in AB Economics, was John Kenneth Valencia.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
John Kenneth has a deep understanding of the GSF Village and the livelihood programmes now in place; the Talipapa market, the Cooperative Store and most recently, the Bakery. All of these require a bookkeeper to properly list, encode and keep the financial records up to date. The GSF team decided to employ a bookkeeper and John Kenneth was hired for not only having graduated in Economics but for also having a good knowledge in computing. Alya, our social worker tells us that he is now taking three more units in Education to be able to teach and later on will take a Licensure Examination to be a fully qualified teacher.
Money is short in John Kenneth’s family. His father Benjie, works as a Tricycle driver in Metro Manila and only comes home for special occasions. His mother, Analyn, is a Barangay Officer and his brother, James who is 14 years old, is a Grade 9 student at school in Lemery. Since Benjie is currently the sole bread winner in the family, John Kenneth wanted to help find ways to provide more income for the family and pay for his further education. Now with his job as the GSF bookkeeper, he earns enough money to pay for this and help his brother through education too. John Kenneth’s dream is not only for the family to live
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
4
comfortably, but, for his father to be able to come home and for them to live together. He has really stood out in the village as being a good son to his family, has a great personality and as we have seen has great academic records. He said to Alya that his is so thankful to the Foundation for providing his family with not only a home but also the opportunity to start a new life after the Typhoon. We too, are so proud of you and your passion to go further. You are also a great inspiration to the younger generation in the village. Well done.
THE WASTE DISPOSAL TRUCK DOES ITS FIRST COLLECTION OF RUBBISH You may recall in our last newsletter, that at the end of every month a waste disposal truck would come to the village to collect the rubbish. One of our homeowner officers has arranged with a government official in Lemery to borrow a dump truck free of charge on the last Friday of every month to collect any rubbish that is “Hindi Madunot” (will not decompose). Thank you very much to Divan Doplayna for making this possible. During the month, the families have been separating their rubbish into different bins, so it is all ready when the truck arrives We are so proud that this small community are keeping their village environmentally clean and tidy and setting a good example for the future generations. The children are already following in their parents footsteps and take part in the weekly tidy up.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
LEFT TO RIGHT, PRESIDENT: RANIE OLAYON, VICE PRESIDENT: JENA BEDOY, SECRETARY: LESLIE ARTIS, ASSISTANT: VEA OLAYON, TREASURER: SARAH CORDERO, ASSISTANT TREASURER: ATHEA LOZARE (NOT PRESENT IN THE ABOVE PICTURE), MUSE: MARY GRACE MARTESANO, ESCORT: LEVI MAGLIMAS.
THESE YOUNG ADULTS ARE THE HEART AND THE FUTURE OF THE VILLAGE THE YOUNG ADULTS IN THE VILLAGE ELECT THEIR OWN SET OF OFFICERS With the community growing stronger and stronger in the GSF Village we felt it was important for the young adults (13 – 25 year olds) to have their own set of officers who would not only represent the Greg Secker Foundation Village in the village, but outside of it too. This core group of young men and women will be role models for the younger children in the village and will be the avenue for them to express their passions, dreams and plans for the future. Being leaders in their age
group will help this newly elected set of officers to develop their skills in leadership, join other youth groups and to represent the GSF in future youth forums or related events. In the evening, 44 young adults attended a social to get to know their new leaders and take part in some activities to bring them together. A Zumba dance soon made them relax and before long they were all laughing and dancing together! These young adults are the heart and the future of the village and investing time and listening to what they have to say will not only make their future brighter but their families and the community too. ▶
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
5
FATHERS FELT LIKE THEY HAD GONE BACK TO THEIR CHILDHOOD DAYS. THE FATHERS HAVE SOME FUN TOO It was a fun filled night for 46 fathers in the village as they took part in a ‘fathers activity’. Not only was there a lot of laughter but they also said that they learnt a lot sharing their ideas, thoughts and reflections. Alya, our social worker, told us that she did not expect the huge number of fathers that did
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
turn up to the activity, to turn up, since most of them had had a hard day at work already, from working in the rice and corn fields, working on construction sites in the scorching sun and driving motorbike taxis around the community. The activity was just a simple game, they had to make sure that the ball did not get into the hole, but if it did, for one of their team members to make sure
they caught it. The objective of the game was to unite them as a group, to cooperate in one task and to let them control the situation (ball). The activity was a great way for the fathers to destress after their busy day of work. They learnt that the game was very applicable to their daily lives, most of them as the head of the family, work hard to sustain the needs and daily expenses, as one father said ” Problems in the family
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
6
can be solved easily if each member gives their fair share and helps”. The fathers enjoyed their evening so much and said it felt like they had gone back to their childhood days. They temporarily forgot their hard days work, with everyone smiling, laughing and eager to win! At the end of the activity, they even requested to extend a few minutes for them to dance. Life maybe tough for these gentlemen but with hard work, dedication and dreams for their families, day by day they are surviving. Life must go on, and there’s always something to be thankful for. They have a wonderful home in the village with a great community around them and friendships have been made for life.
ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM GRADUATES
SPIRITUAL TIME IN THE VILLAGE One of our beneficiaries, Tita Nelia Adrigado attends Church regularly, and thought it would be nice for the families in the village who are unable to get to church every week to have some Bible readings and songs in the village. The Church is in Estancia which is three towns away from Lemery, so she asked the Pastor and some of her congregation to join her and her friends in the village for a spiritual evening and to share the words of God. It was such a success, that the Pastor has agreed to hold a Bible Class every Thursday evening. It is great to see that the community are getting closer not only economically but spiritually too. At the end of the night – a delicious snack of rice porridge was served.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
WE HAVE OVER 35 PEOPLE TAKING PART IN THE ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM TWO PUPILS FROM THE ALTERNATIVE LEARNING SYSTEM HAVE GRADUATED A few months ago we mentioned that some of our beneficiaries are taking part in the Alternative Learning System, which takes place in the village every Tuesday and Thursday. This government
incentive course was set up in the village to encourage anyone wanting to further their education. We have over 35 people attending every week. We are proud to announce that due to 100 % hard work and commitment we have two pupils, Raul Ojero Jr and Reden Pamplona, who have both graduated from ▶
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
7
THIS GOVERNMENT INCENTIVE COURSE WAS SET UP IN THE VILLAGE TO ENCOURAGE ANYONE WANTING TO FURTHER THEIR EDUCATION Elementary level and Secondly level with flying colours. Last week they travelled to San Rafael with our social worker, Alya to receive their medals and certificates. Eden is also currently enrolled at NIPSC (Northern Polytechnic State College) Lemery Campus taking up IT course (Information Technology). They are the first group of graduates from our village to attend. The ALS class will still continue every Tuesday and Thursday for the next six months. Congratulations to Raul and Eden, we are so proud of you.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
RAUL AND EDEN WITH THE TWO TEACHERS MA’AM GELMA ANATAN AND MA’AM MARIVIE FIBRE.
RAUL
Raul is a father of two and married to Norlyn. He works as a farmer, labourer and a motorbike driver. Alya told us that he has worked very hard studying in his spare time to make sure he passed this exam and received a medal for performing to the top level in his exam.
EDEN
Eden Pamplona graduated from HS Level. He too, is a very dedicated young man who studied when he could. He comes from a broken family with no direct parental guidance. His mother works in Manila as a housekeeper, so Eden lives with his stepbrother and step-father, who both accompanied him to the graduation. Eden works in the village to earn extra money for his school allowance and is responsible for the water meter readings.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
8
THIRTY GSF VILLAGE BENEFICIARIES ATTEND A SEMINAR ON PLANT PROPAGATION As part of the beneficiaries sustainability and livelihood programme, thirty men and women from the village attended a two day seminar on plant propagation at the Nursery Establishment and Management Department of Agriculture Research Outreach Station, Sta Barbara, Iloilo. The seminar included a lecture on nursery establishment and the factors in selecting a site and nursery management operation followed by a hands on exercise on plant propagation techniques. This was a valuable lesson for them all and once back in the village they were soon putting their learnings to good use in the “FAITH Gardens – Food Always in the Home.
THIRTY MEN AND WOMEN ATTENDED A SEMINAR
GERLIE ARTES ENTERED THE SINGING COMPETITION
COMPETITION TIME AT THE NORTHERN ILOILO POLYTECHNIC STATE COLLEGE All across the Philippines, August is the month to celebrate “Buwan ng Wika” (the month of the Filipino language). At the NIPSC they held a day of competition in celebration of this, so four of our lovely ladies from the GSF Village attended the different categories. All of these ladies attend the Alternative Learning System every week in the village so decided to spend the day out celebrating their talents. ▶
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
AND CAME SECOND PLACE
ALL ACROSS THE PHILIPPINES, AUGUST IS THE MONTH TO CELEBRATE “BUWAN NG WIKA” THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
9
WELL DONE TO YOU ALL FOR ENTERING AND SPENDING TIME TOGETHER CELEBRATING BUWAN NG WIKA
MA LINA “SABET” VILLANO ENTERED THE ORATION
AND CAME FOURTH
ANABELLE BARCELO ENTERED THE ESSAY WRITING:
AND CAME 3RD PLACE
CHRISTINE PAMPLONA ENTERED THE POSTER & LOGO COMPETITION
AND GAINED A CONSOLATION PRIZE
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
10
CENTRAL PHILIPPINES UNIVERSITY ELEMENTARY DEPARMENT VISIT THE GSF VILLAGE We are thrilled that term time has started which means that our lovely Central Philippine University Students are back in the village. Their commitment to the children is outstanding – making a two hour journey every Saturday from Iloilo City which is a 2 hour drive away. They turned up with lots of donated books and other school materials for the children. This is so generous and thoughtful of CPU who have done so much for the children already. The children are very fortunate to have access to so many wonderful learning books and we are very grateful. When they were last in the village, (last term), they realised that a lot of the children in the village have difficulties in English Literacy, including spelling and basic numeracy. The College
outreach programme have now designed a curriculum tailor-made for the children to help them progress. The children were all profiled and assessed to determine which learning areas they needed help in, and which class would best suit them depending on their ages. Once they had handed out all the books, and the children had a good look through them, it was then time for a short seminar on Dengue Fever. It is now the raining season in the Philippines so Dengue Fever is rife. They taught them how best to try and protect themselves against being bitten and what signs to look out for should they have it. Dengue fever is a mosquitoborne tropical disease caused by the dengue virus. Symptoms typically begin three to fourteen days after infection. This may include a high fever, headache, vomiting, muscle and joint pains, and a characteristic skin rash. â–ś
OUR LOVELY CENTRAL PHILIPPINE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ARE BACK IN THE VILLAGE THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
11
MOVIE NIGHTS Without fail, every Wednesday night is Movie Night in the village. It is one of the highlights of the week for the children as they all run to get the best spot in front of the big screen. They have had such a great selection of films to watch over the last few months, and Alya has noticed that watching these films in English has definitely helped with them understanding and speaking the language. Even the weather doesn’t stop the viewing. During the last Typhoon, everyone huddled into the GSF office and Alya treated them all to a delicious Filipino snack of spaghetti with hotdogs and minced meat topped with cheddar cheese. Sounds delicious.
MOVIE NIGHT IN THE VILLAGE IS ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
12
CAPINAHAN PRIMARY SCHOOL A YEAR AGO, THIS SCHOOL WAS JUST ONE BUILDING WITH AN ATTENDANCE OF JUST 31 CHILDREN.
M
any factors were behind this; the building needed some immediate maintenance to make it a safe environment, the children could not get to the school, parents were unable to send them to school with a suitable packed lunch so opted to keep them at home where they could eat what was cooked at home – which at the time proved to be a much cheaper option. And now a year later…. with the buildings refurbished, a free bus shuttle in place and a nutrition programme
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
(free school lunches) every day this school is thriving. The attendance numbers are now up to 119 with many of the attendees being from the Greg Secker Foundation Village. To recap on how this all came about – Summer 2017 – Greg and the GSF team visited the school and pledged to help for the next 10 years. The plans were to refurbish the buildings of the school, rebuild the playground and stage and supply a nutritious meal to every child every day. ▶
THE MOTHERS COOKING THE SCHOOL LUNCHES
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
13
EVERYONE IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY SEEMS TO HAVE HELPED IN SOME WAY Roll on Summer 2018 and all of this has been achieved and more. Everyone in the local community seems to have helped in some way. The playground and stage has been rebuilt. Sports equipment has been purchased, two classrooms have been totally refurbished with new desks and chairs hand-made by the fathers. The fathers also helped to build a Canteen so that the children could enjoy their lunches out of the classrooms. A School Governance committee has also been set up to ensure max development of the children’s learning potential. At the beginning of June before the children returned to school, a Brigada Eskwela took, place which is also known as the Bayanihan Para sa Paaralan (Working together for schools). Everyone comes together and helps in any way they can; repainting walls and blackboards, cleaning windows and doors, repairing fences and tidying the school grounds ready for the first day of term.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
THE COMMITTEE IS, FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: SHELLO GARCIA (AUDITOR, TEACHER CPS), MIRALONA DONDONAYOS (TREASURER, OWNER OF POULTRY), PORTIA SOBERANO (SECRETARY, GSF BENEFICIARY), FELICIDAD NALDA (VICE CHAIRMAN, BARANGAY COUNCIL), DR JUNE SANICO (CHAIRMAN, GSF), EMILIO BAGONOC (CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TEACHER IN CHARGE CPS).
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
14
THE NUTRITION PROGRAMME The nutrition programme has been running since July 2018 and what a huge success. Every day, the mothers volunteer their time and cook 119 children a nutrious lunch. This in itself is not an easy task, there is currently no water system in place at school so every morning the parents fetch water from the nearby water pump and carry it to school. This water is then used for the food preparation and at lunchtime used for handwashing. The children have been taught the importance of washing hands before eating and hygiene and how it will help reduce stomach upsets. Many of these children did not attend school before because their parents had no food to send to school with them (packed lunches) and many of them could not get to school. We now have a free shuttle bus that runs every day to and from school, ensuring that they get there and back safely. We will tell you about our exciting new bus in next months newsletter. At the beginning of September the school held their first quarterly awards and it was noted that the children who attend school that live in the GSF Village stand out as the best achievers in academic learning, general behavior and attendance. The main factors behind this are because the children are transported to school daily in the bus which ensures attendance levels are high and with a nutritious meal every day we all know that a well fed â–ś
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
THE MOTHERS VOLUNTEER THEIR TIME AND COOK 119 CHILDREN A NUTRITIOUS LUNCH THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
15
body is a well fed mind! And finally, Central Philippines University, their continued commitment to holding a Saturday school throughout the year. The children seem to have the edge academically compared to other children and having that extra tuition really does help. One of the teachers from the Capinahan Primary School, Ms
THE SCHOOL HELD THEIR FIRST QUARTERLY AWARDS
Shello Garcia who teaches grade 2 confirmed that absenteeism has been minimized with the children hardly ever skipping school and put it down to the shuttle bus and that they are well fed once they get to school. In just a year, the expansion of this small community school has been incredible, with numbers increasing from 31 to 119 children. There is still a lot more work to be done at the school and if you are reading this and can help in anyway, do please contact us. We currently have three teachers but the District Education supervisor from the Department of Education has promised that much needed additional teachers will be starting in October. “Education is the foundation upon which these children will build their future …. And with this foundation their future is looking bright. “
PUPILS FROM THE CAPINAHAN ATTEND AT SCOUT CAMPOREE 24 lucky pupils from school were very lucky to spend the weekend on a Scout Camporee which was kindly sponsored by our very own DR Sanico, and the Captain of Capinahan, Mr Ismael Bagonoc.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
24 LUCKY PUPILS FROM SCHOOL WERE VERY LUCKY TO SPEND THE WEEKEND ON A SCOUT CAMPOREE The pupils made up of twinklers, kid scouts-kinder, star and lab scouts – lab scouts – 1st and 2nd graders all joined the “District Boy and Girl Scout Camporee” at Camp Cristito Lapating, Brgy Marapal, Lemery for a weekend of fun. There were over a thousand scouts from all over the district of Lemery with the first day involving
a foot parade around the grounds. All our scouts took an active part in the activities that were scheduled and absolutely loved their weekend out. Thank you DR and Mr Ismael Bagonoc for making this possible for the children to experience activities outside of school and the village.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
16
RESA VALENCIA JOINS SCHOOL HER STORY BY NORMA PALMEJAR
RESA, A 19 YEAR OLD YOUNG LADY, IS THE SECOND CHILD IN A BROOD OF 4 AND THE ONLY DAUGHTER OF MELINDA AND REYLAN VALENCIA. SHE WAS BORN ON MAY 24, 1999 IN THEIR HOME AT THE TIME, WHICH WAS THEN AT BARANGAY BACABAC, SARA, ILOILO. A NEIGHBOURING TOWN OF LEMERY.
S
he grew up to be physically active, but when she was 3 years old, her mother observed that she was having a delay in her speech development. At that time, the only word she could utter was “mama” which means “mother”. Her mother took her to a doctor for a medical check -up. She was diagnosed to have a defective nerve behind her ear, (the mother pointed to the left ear) which gave her
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
difficulty in hearing. But because of poverty, the parents were working as labourers in a farm and were only earning the minimal wage. They were not able to bring the baby to a specialist for a thorough medical check-up. When Resa was 4 years old she attended a Day Care Centre and even proceeded to a kindergarten class, but it was there that she was already having a hard time keeping up. She attended her class regularly
but she just sat in the corner and barely interacted with the group. She even advanced to the first grade but it wasn’t long before her parents decided she had to stop school. Sadly, because of her hearing problems she never went to school again. She just stayed at home and her mother diligently taught her to write, even if it was just her full name. In January 2017, when her family moved in to the GSF ▶
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
17
village, Resa just stayed in their house and was the one doing the household chores especially when her parents were doing some work outside of the village. She became a loner and never went out of their house or spent time with other people her age. When I was working on educating our out-of-school youth, through the Alternative Learning System of the Department of Education which caters to the overaged children and even the noneducated adult to have the privilege of being educated in the village, I was informed that we have some ‘People With Disabilities’ living in the village. I have identified 3, and right there, I went to the central school here in our town, who had a SPED Center which has catering for special needs children. I met with the teacher and inquired for the needed requirements to have our very own people to be enrolled. Since school year was almost at the end, we agreed that they will be coming for the next school year which would be June 2018. When I approached Melinda, she was very happy and excited about the idea of having Resa in school. June 4, 2018, the new school year started. Melinda brought Resa to the SPED Centre with enthusiasm and full of hope for Resa. Resa, on the other hand was little bit nervous and apprehensive about being in school. The teacher commented that she was very shy at first, but when Resa met her classmates, she was astonished that they were also grown-ups, and were like her, and that they too were learners with hearing impairment.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
IN JUNE 2018 MELINDA BROUGHT RESA TO THE SPED CENTRE WITH ENTHUSIASM AND FULL OF HOPE FOR RESA THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
18
LIFE BEFORE AND AFTER TYPHOON TRUE STORY BY PORTIA EN SHAKESPEARE ONE OF OUR BENEFICIARIES, PORTIA EN SHAKESPEARE WRITES IN HER OWN WORDS ABOUT LIFE BEFORE TYPHOON HAIYAN AND BECOMING ONE OF THE FAMILIES WHO LIVE IN THE GSF VILLAGE.
I
n a shanty cottage there lived a young couple with three little children. They live a very simple life, yet they are happy and content. They have never owned a radio or a television, and they don't have appliances. All they have are the piles of books that the mother has kept for years. In their leisure time the mother would read her little children stories. She read to them every night before they went to sleep.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
The couple live according to their earnings that they work hard for. The father works as a hire hand in the corn and rice field and also sometimes in carpentry. The mother helps her husband too and also does all the household chores. She bakes a buko (coconut) pie in the early morning and sells it in the nearby school canteen to add to her husband’s income. Despite their living conditions, the couple have a dream. The
couple dream to one day give their children a decent house to live in and they are the reason why they are striving hard to battle the poverty. The mother always thinks of ways to help her husband. She wants all the best for her family especially to her little children. Every night when they are fast asleep she looks at them very carefully and thinks hard for some other ways to support them. Sometime she thinks of going to ▶
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
19
a far place to work and give her children a better house and better living. However, she has too much love for her husband and children, which forbids her to leave. Her desire to be with her family every day is stronger than her desire to leave and find work. All she wants is to see her children grow and teach them the right things that her father taught her when she was a child. Her family, especially her children are her priceless treasure that she will treasure for her whole life. One day, whilst sitting on a chair something sparks in the mothers mind; she realised something within herself, the talent that she hides for years. Unknown to others the mother has a talent in writing. She knows how to write stories, poems, and even books like the ones she kept in their house. She only did it just to entertain her small children. With that realisation she started to make a plan, she went to the nearby school where she used to sell her pies. She talked to some teachers who were close to her and told them her plan. After hearing her story, they promised to help her to start. With her friends help she starts up her writing project, which will help, lessen the financial burden of her family with her earnings. Her writing serves now as the bread and butter of the family. The couple can now buy new things in their home. Their children can now buy the food they want and new clothes to wear. The couple begin to save money to build a new house. However, in the middle of her journey whilst saving money for a house project, life hits them very hard once again. On November 8th, 2013, Typhoon Haiyan hits
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
TYPHOON HAIYAN WAS ONE OF THE STRONGEST TROPICAL CYCLONES EVER RECORDED PORTIA WITH BABY BEFORE TYPHOON
PORTIA BEING MOVED INTO HER NEW HOUSE BY LTT STAFF IN JANUARY their home and leaves a trail of total destruction with nothing left behind. During the typhoon the family ran to their neighbours house to shelter. From the distance, the couple saw how the typhoon cruelly ruined their shanty cottage that was once their home. A home where their dreams had started. Hurt and uncertain of the future now, the mother could do nothing but to cry and hug her little children to protect them from the wet and cold. She thought that her wet clothes were less cold than the truth that her family is now facing. They don't have a house to live in anymore. Typhoon Haiyan has stolen and ruined everything that they had. It ruined not just their house but also their home and their future. The four portals of their
shanty cottage that served only as a only witness of their dream has been scattered, and all the mother's treasured books have been destroyed by the rain. The books that she has taken good care of for years have gone and been destroyed in just a day of Haiyan. The couple and their children were left uncertain after the typhoon. The father almost lost hope. Their home had been devastated and the only thing that was left was their faith and their dream. The mother persuaded her husband not to worry because God will help. She said that it is just a portal of woods that has been destroyed by Haiyan. Haiyan is not enough to turn down their faith and determination. Haiyan cannot stop them to persevere.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
20
The couple started to build a new cottage out of the materials that was left by the typhoon. It felt like they were starting all over again. A few years have now passed. The town has now returned to its normal activities. New buildings have been built and classes have returned back to their normal schedules. The couple still live in the little cottage they built. One day, with hope the mother visited the nearby school again, and once again asked her friend who was a teacher if she can start writing again. Her prayers have been answered, as one of them needs her writing. The mother was very happy and she became even happier when she heard that The Greg Secker Foundation had visited their town and were looking for beneficiaries for their "Build a house Build a home" project. She tells the news to her husband and they decide to apply the very next day. The couple attend some interviews with the Greg Secker Foundation Team and not long afterwards, they hear the amazing news in a letter that announces that they are chosen to be one of the beneficiaries in the Greg Secker Foundation Build a House Build a Home project. They will be entitled to own a new house. The couple rejoice tremendously from the good news. They thank God and the Greg Secker Foundation for the opportunity to have a brighter future. The couple works voluntarily on the building site, as they waited for the turnovers day to come. Months have passed and their most awaited day has come. The family prepared their things to be move in their new home. It was the
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
very day of the mother’s birthday, a day before the inauguration day when they move in. The mother could not believe everything that was happening as the GSF staff help carry their belongings inside their new home. She felt so loved that even the baby in her womb felt it too. She was really gifted by God, a gift of a home where she could raise her four little children and let them grow and turn into brilliant but humble people in the future. The mother thanked God through his instrument to touch their heart and make their dreams come true.
PORTIA'S HUSBAND
PORTIA WITH LTT STAFF IN HER NEW HOUSE
PORTIA AND HUSBAND WITH CHILDREN
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
21
BISCUIT DELIVERY
FROM ABS CBN LINGKOD KAPAMILYA FOUNDATION INC. BANTAY BATA 163 ILOILO A HUGE THANK YOU TO ABS CBN LINGKOD KAPAMILYA FOUNDATION INC. BANTAY BATA 163 ILOILO, FOR THEIR DONATION OF 20 BOXES OF ASSORTED BISCUITS. THESE WILL BE SUCH A TREAT TO THE CHILDREN IN THE VILLAGE AND WILL BE SHARED OUT DURING MOVIE NIGHTS, MEETINGS AND INTO THE CAPINAHAN SCHOOL FOR BREAK TIME.
A
lya, our social worker used to work for the Foundation and has kept in touch since leaving. She was catching up with her former supervisor, Ms. Precela C. Calanuga, who is officer in charge of Bantay Bata 163 Iloilo and asked if they had any goods for the children in our village. With no hesitation at all she offered 10 boxes of biscuits, so DR went to
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
collect them from the main office in Iloilo and when he arrived there were 20 boxes! Thank you so much. Bantay Bata 163 is a child welfare program launched in 1997 to protect disadvantaged and at-risk children through a nationwide network of social services. It includes the rescue and rehabilitation of sick and abused
children, training and advocacy on child abuse prevention, rehabilitation of families in crisis, educational scholarships, community outreach and medical and dental missions. Thank you on behalf of the children in the GSF Village, and we look forward to the possibility of working closely together in the future.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
22
THE EYE AND HEAR FOUNDATION VISIT THE VILLAGE WE WERE SO BLESSED TO HAVE THE EYE AND HEAR FOUNDATION (CATARACT FOUNDATION) JOIN US AT THE VILLAGE. THEY SPENT THE DAY WITH OUR FAMILIES OFFERING THEM FREE EYE AND EAR CHECK UPS.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
Many of our families would otherwise not be able to afford these and also have the time to travel to the town and get an appointment. The consultation started at 8am in the morning, with Sir Richard Blando conducting the eye tests, whilst Ms Joelyn Latido did the ear check ups and hearing tests. The
consultations were very helpful to the villagers – especially those suffering from eye cataracts. The children with ear infections were given medication immediately after the check ups and to help prevent infections in the future were also taught how to take good care of their eyes and ears with regular cleaning. ▶
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
23
In total, 93 adults and children were seen by the team and the following results were found: • Deaf 1 • Multiple Disorder 1 • No visual Impairment 78 • Cataract 6 • Other Eye Diseases 5 • Uncorrected Refractive Error 4 • Reading Glasses 27 • Reading glasses were offered to those that needed them for a reduced rate of P50.
1 1 27
4 5 6
78
Deaf 1 Multiple Disorder 1 No visual Impairment 78 Cataract 6 Other Eye Diseases 5 Uncorrected Refractive Error 4 Reading Glasses 27
Hermie Martesano one of our ladies in the village, who is partially blind had a specialist doctor consultation booked for October 3, 2018 in Iloilo City c/o Dr. Chan’s clinic, arranged by Eye & hEAR Foundation. Thank you to the Eye and hEAR Foundation for your valuable time and support to the families in the village.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
THEY SPENT THE DAY WITH OUR FAMILIES OFFERING THEM FREE EYE AND EAR CHECK UPS THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
24
GREG APPEARS IN MY ENTREPRENEUR MAGAZINE MEET THE ENTREPRENEUR: GREG SECKER, FOUNDER OF LEARN TO TRADE & THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION I’m an entrepreneur, philanthropist, international speaker and most importantly, a father of three wonderful children. There’s no typical day for me, between running 23 companies and my own charitable foundation I try to embrace the diversity in my day. My biggest passion in life are my children, we are particularly fond
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
of snowboarding and skiing, we’ve actually just returned from a ski trip. My entire year revolves around them; I’ve been known to fly across to Australia and to then fly right back to them the very next day. What can you tell us about your success? Entrepreneurial spirit was instilled
in me as a child, whilst all of the other kids I grew up with were getting pocket money I was told that there were no handouts and that I’d have to fetch for myself. I’ve always had a natural curiosity for opportunity and it was with that mind-set that I began to look for opportunities to not just succeed, but to excel. ▶
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
25
By thirteen, I was running my own car wash business in my village; I had three kids working for me, 33 clients and I was making £7 profit on each car we cleaned. I developed and trusted this instinctive sense for opportunity throughout my time at university where I started to take an interest in business and technology solutions. After completing my studies, it was with that interest that I took a role running a brand new business platform entitled the virtual trading desk; it was the first online real time forex-trading platform. It sounds quite simple, but I learned to trust my business instincts and developed an eye for opportunity, by the time I was 25 I was VP at Mellon Financial Corp. It was during that time that I realised the business concept for Learn to Trade. I had attended a lot of business seminars, from some of the best traders in the world and at that time most people either learned to trade on professional trading floors or they would watch Bloomberg and
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
have a crack at it. I realised that by connecting the natural separation between the two there was a business opportunity to take all of what I had learned on trading floors across the world and to impart that knowledge to others. What is it that makes you passionate about helping people learn how to be entrepreneurs? The problem is that there are far too many people in jobs they don’t really like doing. Passion doesn’t just drop into your lap; and whilst I believe you have to take an enthusiastic approach to everything you do. You’re never going to become a master at something if you don’t like it enough. I was lucky enough to find what I was passionate about in life – helping others. That’s the ethos behind Learn to Trade, giving back the knowledge I’ve gathered on how to achieve financial freedom. Once people have found their passion and are willing to dedicate time and energy to it, they need help. You have to impart knowledge that works, you need to coach them, actually sit with them and help them trade. Just as you would when learning to drive, you would have an instructor, you wouldn’t just read the Highway Code and jump into a Lamborghini would you? I founded Learn to Trade because I wanted to really help people learn about how to achieve financial
independence on their own terms. Let’s be honest – it means I make some money too, but that’s a byproduct, it’s not my only aim. The thought of making more money will not get you up in the morning year after year, the only thing that will is finding a real purpose. My purpose in life is helping people find their passion whether it’s financial freedom or how to give back, I want to show people what I have been privileged to learn. How did you get the reputation for being the number 1 trader coach? What was being offered from computers in the industry when we started out 15 years ago was a simple 2-day seminar where delegates were given workbooks and a theoretical understanding with no practical hands on experience. We rose to prominence because I knew that hands on experience was essential. I had a unique insight into how to capitalize on potential profit making strategies but more importantly, I knew how to impart the trading strategies that I had learned in a form that was supportive and controlled. Practical experience is paramount, that’s the way Learn to Trade works, it’s a programme designed to coach you one on one. When we first started, nobody in the market was doing one on one trading coaching, that was the piece of the puzzle within our offering that contributed to the success of thousands of traders when we first began. We taught people how to not only start successfully but to continue to trade in a risk managed and professional set-up that went beyond just attending a seminar.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
26
My competitors went out of business because we offered professional coaching from experienced currency traders, this created the ability for beginners to first learn the knowledge and then to put it into practice under the watch of one of our experienced traders. We took this success and replicated the model across the world to become the number one Forex education provider globally. What does it take to become a multi-millionaire currency trader? Well, for starters a fair amount of capital. I think many people underestimate how difficult it is to become a millionaire currency trader given the amount of patience, risk management and access to capital needed. Beginning currency traders in the retail space can sometimes have delusions of grandeur about becoming a millionaire and do not realize the amount of capital, patience and discipline they require. This combination of patience, discipline and capital can get you to your first million but never underestimate how much emotions can affect you when the numbers start to build; some start taking considerable risks that could quickly and significantly reduce their amount of funds or even wipe out their entire account. Currency trading is a game of risk management, it’s a game of discipline and it’s a game of capital, you need to come in prepared to learn the tools and to put the work in, like anything else in life. Can you tell us more about how you set up a trading floor from your home, and in just 3 months
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
your company was born. I left the banking world to trade from home using digital brokerage platforms. I had access to the market through intermediary brokers and quite quickly, my trading portfolio grew to a size where my friends began to notice that I didn’t need to work. They started to come over and they would learn to trade by spending time with me in my living room. At one stage I had over 40 people camped out on my floor and, much to the frustration of my girlfriend at the time, it became a bit of a boys dormitory. So, I decided to move the concept out of my house and looked for a premises in London. I then formalised my business quickly, I had already decided that I wanted to impart the knowledge I had gathered on trading and put into practise the concept of teaching trading strategy. From my friends and family I could see that that there was a positive success rate and that they were responding to one on one coaching. I also knew that there wasn’t a similar offering currently available on the market.
I FOUNDED LEARN TO TRADE BECAUSE I WANTED TO REALLY HELP PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT HOW TO ACHIEVE FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE ON THEIR OWN TERMS.
What is it like working with big brands and companies in America, in comparison to the UK? Irrespective of size or geography, for my businesses I realised that there was greater value in investing into creating our own software to best assist and educate our clients. When we first started out, we worked with different software houses and trading technology partners in the US, after a series of tough lessons it became clear that for my business I needed to ▶
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
27
develop my own software to cater for our clients’ needs with speed, reliability and responsiveness. There truly is no comparison with being able to do something for yourself. Who is your inspiration for doing what you do and why? Tony Robins and Richard Branson are major inspirations for me. I truly believe Tony Robbins changed my life, 20 years ago, I watched one of his seminars and was blown away. He understood that life is driven by your values and you have the ability to make your own rules, what he said resonated with me and I found him infectious. He was an instrumental force in the formation of my desire to help others achieve success and in identifying the vessel I would do it with. Similarly, Richard Branson is a businessperson and philanthropist I truly identify with, he is someone who like me believes that we have
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
the power to change the world. Through his own business approach he has been able to do good while doing business. Branson once said that if “every company focused on one challenge we could solve many of the world’s problems and companies would benefit too.” Companies need values and need to value giving back and doing good for wider society. I really look up to both men and I have been honoured to have worked with them numerous times over the years, it’s always a pleasure when we can get together and discuss our shared outlook. What is the biggest mistake in business you have made that you have learned from to date? The biggest mistake I have made to date is putting the wrong people in a management positions. It has cost me millions of dollars in the past, I’ve now learned that it’s about
understanding the values of the individual and matching them to the role. Some people are fantastic at being sole producers and working in a vacuum and creating fantastic content or products; and other people are great at managing other people to do that work and one of my more recent mistakes was taking an incredible producer and trying to turn him into a manger and it’s a lesson I will never forget. You need to be able to correctly fit the person with the right skillset to the position in your business. More than 200,000 people have attended you various trading seminars and workshops across the world, what tips do you have for young entrepreneurs who want to grow their business? It’s all about identifying your target market – today we have lots of incredible tools via social media marketing platforms that
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
28
allow you to target clients based on demographics such as age, sex, industry preference and so on. Consequently, we can get much better (or more specific) in our targeting – but these days what really matters is your reputation and community. It all about building a community with your clients and constantly getting their feedback as to what products and services they require from you, maintaining a dialogue with your clients, and by keeping that conversation current and active it allows you to gain market share and provide the best service possible to ensure that you are delivering a valuable product. Greg, you’ve had a lot of success, at an early age, however, you also like to give back to the community. Can you tell us some more about your charitable causes and why business should exercise their corporate social responsibility? I believe that we all have a responsibility and duty of care to give back to the world we take from. I also believe that business as we know it is set to change. One hundred years from now we will look back at the current UK PLC model and see things in much the same way we look at the workhouses of 150 years ago. I believe that in the near future businesses will be based on a model that balances philanthropy with profit. It was with this in mind that I formed the Greg Secker Foundation 7 years ago to fully control how, when and where I wanted to give back. The foundation is committed to positively improving the quality of life for individuals and causes around the world. We now have
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
a lot of the team involved in philanthropy; whatever we are doing we try to get the team involved as much as possible. The feedback we get is that our team feel they are working for an organisation that cares about people, rather than just profits. We have 23 companies in our group and put the foundation at the centre. Whether they make a profit or not they have an obligation to give to the Greg Secker Foundation. The business in South Africa for example has to give £40,000 a month to the Foundation, while Learn to Trades’ business model in 2017 saw 17% of pre-tax profits donated to charity We don’t think charity is something we indulge in after having a profitable year, it is day to day businesses. We have a commitment and contribution we want to make; we make sure we contribute to charities first. Now we are trying to get other companies to think differently about how they give back What do you have planned for the future of your company over the next 5 years? We’re planning to help more people find financial independence, expand our businesses further internationally and take our philanthropic work even further to communities and individuals around the world who really need it. I want to do a lot more with entrepreneurs and successful businesses to show them how they can also replicate our model and how they put giving back at the heart of their operation. I’ve also got a book in the works, so keep an eye out!
WE HAVE 23 COMPANIES IN OUR GROUP AND PUT THE FOUNDATION AT THE CENTRE. WHETHER THEY MAKE A PROFIT OR NOT THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO GIVE TO THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
29
VIBRANCY, DIVERSITY AND GIVING BACK BEING PART OF LOUIS VUITTON’S PARIS LAUNCH RECENTLY, RACHEL AND I WERE INVITED TO PARIS, BY LOUIS VUITTON ON AN ALL-EXPENSES PAID TRIP TO THE LAUNCH OF THEIR NEW DESIGNER VIRGIL ABLOH’S NEW COLLECTION
A
s the only invited clients from the UK it was quite the honour and an incredible experience. The fashion show itself was like something out of the Wizard of Oz, and Virgil put something close to my heart at the centre of his approach – diversity and inclusivity – putting
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
the Rainbow Flag prominently throughout. Virgil Abloh is quite an inspiration. As I came to find out during the show he wasn’t originally trained in fashion. In fact, he got his degree in civil engineering and an MA in architecture and later became known for his collaborations
with Kanye West. He clearly likes breaking down barriers, and as a Ghanaian-American, he is the first designer of African descent to be the artistic director of Louis Vuitton men’s wear collection and managed to be listed in Time magazine 100 most influential people in the world in 2018. His approach, that he lives
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
30
life on his terms, is something that is at the heart of why I started Learn to Trade and my charity the Greg Secker Foundation. We all have a choice in life to be the best version of ourselves, and to help raise those around us to be the best they can be too. The show itself was like a kaleidoscope of colour and energy, which for those who know me, was right up my street. The event also showcased something that is also at the heart of my philosophy that businesses have a responsibility to give back to the community. For the Greg Secker Foundation you will have read about our work building an entire village in the Philippines for families who lost everything in Typhoon Haiyan. Louis Vuitton also make charity a core part of their approach. You may not be aware but every year Louis Vuitton does a huge amount of work for good causes including partnering with Unicef to raise over five million dollars this year to provide humanitarian support for children in urgent need as part of their #MakeAPromise campaign. In fact, I first got to know the Vuitton family through a fundraiser they were part of called the Naked Heart Fabulous Fund Fair. I am looking forward to joining one of their humanitarian missions in the future. Their passion to make a difference is palpable and goes far beyond signing a donation cheque at the end of each year; they put their passion to use to encourage many others and behind the scenes inspire high-net worth individuals to make a positive difference in this world. We only have one community, and there are seven billion of us on this planet who are all part of it. I
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
have learnt first-hand that wealth alone will never be enough – a fruitless task given there will always be someone fighting the race to have the biggest bank account. Instead, I choose to grow and apply my wealth to make a difference and my mission is to inspire others to do the same. Taking a cue from the incredible vibrancy and diversity of Virgil’s show on the catwalk, we all have a choice in this world; we can choose
to be best version of ourselves and embrace the great tapestry of opportunities that are presented to us, or we can choose to do the same today as we did yesterday wishing for a different life. I know which one I find more exciting, and Virgil is proof that we don’t have to be constrained by traditional rules, all it takes is to make the decision to make a difference – and I don’t believe that will never go out of fashion!
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
31
DEAN RUSSELL JOINED GREG AND THE FOUNDATION TEAM IN MINNESOTA IN JULY WHERE THEY ALL ATTENDED THE STARKEY HEARING FOUNDATION GALA DEAN TELLS US IN HIS WORDS HOW HE BECAME PART OF SUCH AN INSPIRATIONAL JOURNEY.
T
his weekend I have the incredible honour of attending the Starkey Hearing Foundation ‘So The World May Hear Awards Gala’ in
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
Minneapolis. The Gala was set up by the inspirational Bill & Tani Austin and aims to break down barriers and transcends borders around the world to help individuals
feel connected and empowered through the gift of hearing. So why am I attending? Well, there is a story why I am here and it all down to the incredible charity
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
32
The Greg Secker Foundation. Some of you may know after running as an MP last year that I wanted to spend more time understanding about community and get hands-on with more charity work. As part of this, I was given the opportunity to visit the Philippines several times with Greg Secker and his Foundation team as they successfully took on the immense task of building a village in the middle of the Filipino Jungle housing over a 100 families who lost everything in Typhoon Haiyan. During one of my visits, I was fortunate enough to take part in a joint Greg Secker Foundation mission with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, which is led by two inspirational figures; Bill and Tani Austin. They have a clear purpose to 'give the gift of hearing to those in need, empowering them to achieve their potential'. In 2010 Bill Austin committed to Bill Clinton (through the Clinton Global Initiative) to donate one million hearing aids to children in the developing world by the year 2020. A goal they are well on their way to achieving. My personal story with Bill and Tani began when I arrived at the Starkey Hearing Foundation mission in a deprived area of Manila. As we walked into the main facility, not only was I struck by the humidity and heat of the weather, I was overwhelmed by the warmth and the positivity of the people on site. In one half of the large space, where the hearing aid fittings were taking place, it was smiles, hugs and high-fives all around. In the other half of the vast space, there were queues of people, mostly children, anxiously
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
waiting their turn to receive the gift of hearing. The experience was lifechanging for everyone there – including myself. Over an intensive, non-stop day in an increasingly stiflingly hot shelter, I was fortunate to fit hearing aids to countless young children - vulnerable kids who would never have been able to afford to hear or speak without the generosity and passion of Bill & Tani. To say it was an emotional experience wouldn't even come close to describe the intensity of it all. Even now, as I write this piece, I can vividly recall the memories of children's eyes lighting up as they heard their parents voices for the first time and as they too, were able to form their first words to speak to their parents. It was like a factory of miracles. To put this into context for fellow Brits, while there is an incredibly strong deaf community in the UK, with sign language an essential first language for many, for the families I met in the Philippines, this is not the case. Many of these children were ostracised, isolated and sadly bullied because of their hearing impairment. Which means the gift of hearing goes way beyond the function of hearing alone, it literally opens up a whole new landscape of opportunity for their future. Perhaps the most important benefit I observed was that of communication: because now the kids could learn to speak too. At this young age, the lack of auditory feedback means children struggle to form sounds which severely impairs their speech and makes it very difficult to communicate. Perhaps that's why the most magical moment of ▜
THE GIFT OF HEARING GOES WAY BEYOND THE FUNCTION OF HEARING ALONE, IT LITERALLY OPENS UP A WHOLE NEW LANDSCAPE OF OPPORTUNITY FOR THEIR FUTURE
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
33
NOT ONLY WAS IT A RECOGNITION OF HELPING EACH INDIVIDUAL, BUT IT WAS ALSO A CELEBRATION OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION BUILDING BRIGHTER FUTURES
the fitting process was teaching children to form sounds for the first time. When methodically fitting the hearing aids, there is a beautiful ‘lights on’ moment at the point when children’s eyes light up as they realise they are hearing sounds. The process is incredible, but for me, it was the next activity that was the most emotional part – teaching them to form sounds for the first time. The approach is quite simple, once the hearing aids are at the right sound levels, I would ask the children to repeatedly asked to say phrases like 'Bah Bah', 'Ah Ah' etc. At first, the words are poorly formed, with no coherence and then to my surprise every time, the child would go from making these unformed sounds to pretty accurate pronunciation. Now, the reality is it will take many months, and years to fully grasp speaking clearly, but this starting point is inspirational to watch. However, for one tiny young girl, who was just 4 or 5 years old, she really struggled with forming the sounds. Despite my best efforts, she just couldn't create the vowels. She failed to do any of the sounds, Bah bah, Ah Ah, Ma Ma. I didn't want to give up on her but also didn't want to upset her by pushing too hard for her to succeed – I appreciated the whole process must be a daunting experience. So, leaving her to sit on her chair to collect her thoughts with her mum nearby, I reassured her and then paused the session so she could take some time for herself and try on her own. Bill Austin was obviously practised in this, so he kindly took me to one side to help to organise some paperwork for the fitting, so she had some space. I watched as I
could hear her trying over and over to get the sounds – but it was no use. I desperately wanted her to succeed but didn’t want her to feel she had failed, this is a long road to travel. As I was about to approach her to try to reassure her it’s all ok, she stood up and walked over to her mother. I felt I had failed my first child and was worried she had given up. She approached her mother sheepishly, she held her hand gently. I watched as she looked up at her mother, knowing I had failed to allow her mother to hear her daughter's first words. Her mother looked down reassuringly, I didn’t speak Filipino, but her mother's body language was quickly translated into the language of love for her daughter. I waited, expecting the young girl to indicate to her mother that she wanted to leave. But instead, something miraculous happened. As the young girl looked up into her mother's eyes, their eyes locked, the girl spoke clearly and lovingly: 'Mama Mama'. The mother’s face transformed and when she looked over to me, we both burst into tears of joy as her daughter smiled from ear-to-ear repeating this magical phrase. I have no embarrassment to say I blubbed tears, and smiled so much my face hurt, that day. I also got more hugs and high fives than I could ever have imagined from Bill, Tani, Greg, the missionaries and recipients as we all gave the gift of hearing to so many people. Not only was it a recognition of helping each individual, but it was also a celebration of the human spirit and how, even the impossible, can be achieved if we believe hard enough in the goal of the mission.
THE GREG SECKER FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER / OCTOBER 2018
34