Today, I went to “A-ha Learning center" located in Pililia St. Makati City, This learning center offers free tutoring services to different kids who are willing and eager to learn more about school studies. I actually saw their post in the internet that they are looking for some volunteers who are willing to teach Math, English and other subjects. So yeah me as a student and kid lover, I was really excited to visit their learning center this morning. It was so fun to be there since you’ll definitely see friendly and clever kids studying and playing around. Everyone there was friendly and easy to talk to. I also met an exchange student from Vietnam where he have already volunteered for 4 consecutive times.  I had the chance to interview the only current regular teacher of the A-ha , Elise Montinola. So here are the questions that I prepared for her.

1. When did this learning center start?

"We started around 2008"

2. Who are the key members or founders who started this free tutoring center?

"A family project started by Mr. Jaton Zulueta and Aina Valencia".

3. Is the institution government or privately funded? 

"We are privately funded by some private people and organization".

4. Do you guys have salary for doing this thing? Or it's just all about the good will?

"Yes it is all about the good will, but i also get a salary since i'm the only regular teacher here". 

5. Have you ever had some activities outside the learning center like: field trips or anything done outdoors?

"Yeah we just did some, you can basically check our Facebook page and other links".

7. Besides from the volunteers who just walk-in to teach, how many teacher(s) who regularly teach here?

"Only me".

8. Do you guys accept donations like school supplies or food?

"Yes we do, we are actually in need of some school supplies like: notebooks, pencils and papers".

9. Are you guys planning to establish another learning center in the near future?

"So far we are not planning to establish another learning center".  

10. How long have you been teaching in this learning center?

"One year".

11.  Are these kids required to pay entrance or miscellaneous fees in order to start studying in your learning center?

"Nope. We don’t actually ask any payment from the parents. Everything is free starting from school materials, field trips and any activities that we organize". 

After asking these questions, I just discovered that A-ha was even featured in a local television here.

Link below: "http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/386187/lifestyle/peopleandevents/ngo-run-learning-center-fosters-culture-of-volunteerism-and-learning"

These are the pictures that i gathered today to show what's inside A-ha.

A-ha is indeed a great example for everyone who has the interest of promoting the good-will and volunteerism in the country. Our country has different problems of solving the poverty and lack of decent education , but this group of people just prove that "Everyone can help,everyone can learn". Me as a part-time volunteer, it makes me more even inspired to share anything that i can. Now, i'm about to start teaching kids basic computer lessons, how to play a guitar and basic programming if someone is interested. Once again, thank you guys for viewing my blog and i'll be posting more interesting stuff about volunteering and traveling.