Marlow Navigation has successfully concluded its latest wave of the popular school program Adopt a Ship in the Philippines, with all-round positive feedback from teachers and students alike.
The program, which was launched back in September last year, connected social studies classrooms at Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School in Manila with Marlow seafarers on board to learn more about shipping, the maritime community, world trade, geography and the marine environment. Almost 2,000 school children participated over the past few months.
“The Adopt a Ship program broadened the learning environment of these classes and altered our perception of the maritime community. In many respects, it has helped us grasp the dynamic and tough life on board a ship and the lives of our living heroes – seafarers,” stated the school’s principal, Randy Emen. “The program has fostered a real relationship and a profound respect for seafarers,” he added.
Classroom were assigned a vessel to ‘adopt’ and exchange information, with twelve Marlow officers selected to responded to the students’ queries on a weekly basis. These were sent via the teachers and coordinated together with shore-based teams at Marlow HQ. Information was then discussed in the classroom, together with educational activities, learning exercises and tests for the pupils.
“Every session gave our children the opportunity to see the bigger picture of life and to let their imaginations run wild. We hope that this initiative will be expanded and continued at our school, as well as at the other schools in the district and beyond. It is an incredible and worthy adventure and a highly recommended program,” continued Emen. “We thank all its partners and organisers, Marlow Navigation company, and their seafarers for giving us this opportunity.”
To thank the Marlow officers who were involved in the program, as well as to acknowledge all seafarers who provide an invaluable service to world trade and the local Filipino economy, students got creative with thank you notes, posters and cards.
Meanwhile, all teachers who participated in the program received a certificate of completion, handed out by Marlow Navigation Phils., Inc., two CEOs, Tony Galvez Jr. and Captain Leo Tenorio at a special ceremony.
Feedback from the Teachers:
- “I am very grateful that there is this kind of program that helps Social Science teachers like me. I was able to usher my children to see life in the bigger picture from the perspective of a seafarer.”
- “Seafarers are heroes. This is what my pupils will always shout out in our AAS class.”
- “Adapt a Ship is a recommendable program. I hope more schools will adopt this beautiful program.”
- “Thanks for choosing AAQES. There are challenges along the way with our communication with seafarers but a few replies from them made a huge difference. I hope we are able to help them too in simple and meaningful way.”
