How You Can Help
Support a Child
Gamot Cogon School is a pioneering effort that seeks to model or prototype a Steiner school in an economically poor, rural community in the Philippines. A majority of the families sending their children to the school cannot afford to pay the necessary school fees to support the operations of the school and this amount must therefore be subsidized. In addition, the school needs to build up its facilities and grounds. The school is set up as a non-stock, non-profit institution and receives no government funding. The land has been donated to the school. There are approximately 2-3 hectares that are available for the use of the school. The school currently has 95 children attending classes from kindergarten to Class 6. To view an audio Slideshow about the school click here: Audio Slideshow
How You Can Help
Gamot Cogon School
Support a teacher
Support a Student. We estimate the cost of sending a child to the school for one year at P20,000.00 (US$400 or €320)
Support a Teacher. Our teachers currently earn less than their public school counterparts and are having difficulty meeting their needs at current salary levels. We are seeking ways to increase teacher salaries which is the biggest expense for the school. To support one teacher for one year currently amounts to P110,500.00 (US$2300 or €1800). We would like to raise teacher salaries to P10,000 ($200 or €160) per month by next year, eventually reaching a more reasonable salary of P12,000.00 ($250 or €190) per month.
School Art Supplies
School Art Supplies. The school sources some art supplies locally – painting paper, paint brushes etc. but we also use high quality art supplies which are sourced in Germany. These special supplies nurture the senses of the children and support the artistic curriculum of the school. A 250ml bottle of Stockmar Paint, for instance, costs the school P1250 ($25 or €18). A box of Stockmar beeswax crayons costs P350 ($7 or €5). We also accept used crayons, paints, colored pencils, sharpeners etc.
Music Program. The school is working to establish a comprehensive music program. To do this, we need musical instruments. Many of the children have never seen violins, violas, cellos, much less learned to play a classical instrument. The school needs to purchase a collection of instruments which can be used by the students. We estimate the cost of a China-made violin at P4000 ($80 or €60). A Clavinova (electric piano) costs P55,000 ($1150 or €870). We estimate the cost of funding the instrumentarium at P220,000 ($4600 or €3500).
Playgrounds / Playing Fields: The school currently lacks adequate playground facilities. We need P20,000 ($400 or €320) to upgrade the kindergarten playground. The early grades needs a separate playground with swings and sandbox – estimated cost: P35,000 ($750 or €560). Upper grades playground: P40,000 ($850 or €640). Playing Field for the school: P50,000 ($1000 or €800).
Building Program. The school is currently working to a two-story module that contains the school restrooms, changing room and the teacher’s room. This is URGENT. The building is currently 50% complete. We need to raise P200,000.00 so that we can just resume work on the structure. The total amount needed to finish the structure, including tiles, toilets and finishing work is P500,000.00.
We will also be needing additional classrooms. The cost for building one 60 sq meter classroom in a two-story classroom module costs P450,000.00 ($9800 or €7000).
Classroom Furniture. Each new classroom must be outfitted with desks, chairs, blackboards and cabinets. A desk and chair for one student costs P1200.00 ($24 or €20). A teacher’s desk and chair costs P1500.00 ($30 or €24)
Microscope
Science Equipment. The school needs science equipment for Grade 7 and 8 when we introduce chemistry, Physics II and Biology. To prepare for the chemistry lessons we need to obtain glassware, Bunsen burners, safety equipment. We also need microscopes. We would welcome used equipment and/or donations for this purpose.
Woodworking Equipment. The school needs woodworking equipment to bring the fullness of the curriculum to the students. Woodcarving tools as well as various carpentry handtools are needed so that the students can learn to work safely and creatively with real tools. Used or surplus tools can be donated to the school or funds can be donated to help purchase these items.
Teacher Housing. In order to help our teachers financially, to give them a safe and decent place to live and to allow them to live closer to the school, we would like to create a teacher housing compound. We can build a small efficiency unit for one teacher using a combination of native and modern materials for P100,000.00 ($2000 or €1650). We currently have four teachers who would like to avail of housing if it could be made available.
Teacher Training. Each year the school must sponsor at least one teacher for training in Steiner Education. The cost of the 8-week intensive course is P45,000.00 ($900 or €700). There are also in-service trainings and other opportunities for the teachers to gain knowledge and skills for their work. Donations can help support teachers in their continuing education and professional development.
Training Center
The school is part of the larger initiative of Gamot Cogon Institute that includes a biodynamic farm and live-in training center. Aside from Steiner education teacher trainings, GCI envisions offering training in sustainable agriculture, holistic medicine and health care, leadership and youth programs, among others.
Dormitory Cottage
We have already built one two room living quarters as a prototype for the training center. We plan to eventually have 10 two-room cottages that can host 20-40 persons for training activities.
Dormitory Cottage. The cost of building one two-room cottage with integrated bathroom is P250,000.00 ($5000 or €4000).
Training Hall. We need to construct a training hall where we can conduct training sessions. The estimated cost of this 120 sq meter structure is P400,000.00 ($8000 or €6400)
Dining Hall. This will be the gathering and preparation place for meals. The Dining Hall can also be used by the school to bring good nutrition and hot meals to the children on a daily basis. The estimated cost including equipment, tables and chairs is P800,000.00 ($17,000 or €13,000).
Water System. The water system for the whole project consists of an elevated storage tank, distribution pipelines, transmission line and pumping facilities. The wellhead, pumping facility and transmission pipeline are already in place. We need to raise an additional P250,000 ($5300 or €4000) for the remainder of this program.
If you would like to make a contribution to the School or the Institute, look for the Donate button on the right side of our homepage.
