The popular school program Adopt a Ship has recently kicked off again in the Philippines, connecting classrooms with Marlow Navigation seafarers on board to learn more about shipping, the maritime community, world trade and geography.
The program is taking part in social studies for grades four, five and six at Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School in Manila, with a total of almost 2,000 school children to participate.
Classroom have been assigned a vessel to ‘adopt’ and exchange information with. Selected Marlow officers on these vessels answer questions on a weekly basis over a ten-week cycle, sent via the teachers and coordinated together with shore-based team at HQ. Information is then discussed in class, along with learning exercises and tests.
School principal Randy Emen led the program’s inauguration at the regular Monday flag raising ceremony, where large world maps were presented to the teaching staff. Both CEOs from Marlow Navigation Phils., Inc., Tony M. Galvez Jr. and Captain Leo C. Tenorio were also present at the launch, helping to explain more about the program, as well as sharing their own inspirational tales at the sea with the students.
“After two years of mostly online learning, it’s great to be able to offer this program to school kids again,” said Galvez. “No doubt, the interaction children and teachers can have with our seafarers during class brings far more value, and excitement in the whole learning experience,” he added.
Adopt a Ship was first initiated by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber (CSC) and Cyprus Maritime Environmental Protection Association (CYMEPA) back in 2006. Together with the help of commercial shipping companies such as Marlow, the program has made its way on to many other countries, including the Philippines, Poland, India, and Greece. It has since been praised by many maritime institutions and authorities, such as the United Nations Working Group, The International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General, Cyprus Government, InterManager, The Nautical Institute, Maritime Awareness Program Society (MAPS), and International Women Seafarers Foundation (IWSF), among others.
Around 90% of global trade is driven by maritime transportation. This includes many of the necessities and comforts we all have and use that supports our quality of life. The Philippines is a world leading maritime nation and a top provider of both seafarers and officers to shipping companies. At Marlow, Filipinos make up over 50% of total crew.
“There is a long tradition of seafaring here, whilst it continues to be an important livelihood for so many Filipinos and a significant input to the wider economy,” explained Captain Tenorio.
“Almost everyone knows someone connected to the industry. Programs such as Adopt a Ship are great, as they help our children and communities alike, to learn more about maritime, as well as to appreciate and be proud of the important and great work our people, and industry on the whole does out there,” he concluded.
