#MomSkwela

 

By Dr. Linnie Mayoralgo Dinopol

 

“MomSkwela” was launched in July 2019 by eight certified mentors from Batch 2 of the Family Life Education (FLE) Certificate Program of the University of Asia and the Pacific, clearly driven by the aspiration to unify the triad collaborative components of empowerment of family, community, and learning environment through education, information, and values formation. We envision MomSkwela as a catalyst in the holistic development of mothers, educators, and homemakers towards a more fulfilling and values-driven family life.  We aim to inspire transformation and personal growth among the beneficiaries in our mission to deepen their knowledge, skills, and values alongside enabling critical thinking and problem-solving in daily life situations.

MomSkwela’s framework innovatively combines the strength of broadcast media (envisioned to expand to other media platforms) and on-ground interface with target audience and learners. The concept builds on three-hour, school-based, monthly experiential engagements with mothers and teachers/ educators; and weekly one-hour talk show with subject matter experts, guest moms, and hosts who are also mothers.

The MomSkwela Organization brings together eight project directors: Eileen Araneta, Medoy Calma, Arlene Dela Cruz, Myra Karaan, Tessie Moran, Mona Serrano, Jho Macawile, and myself. We take on professional and specialist roles, functions, and responsibilities to carry on the demands and requirements of the project, and establish complementing collaboration and support networks.

Dr. Linnie Dinopol – Executive Director

Mona Serrano – Treasurer and strategic alliance lead

Eileen Araneta – Program Director on Content Development and Professional/Institutional Tie-ups

Tessie Moran – Guests/Experts/Mentors Bureau Head

Medoy Calma – On-ground Program Management and Coordination with school support team

Dr. Myla Karaan –  Participants’ profile review/monitoring

Josephine Macawile – Program Director for on-ground management in Santolan Elementary School (SES) where she is the principal, supported by Santolan faculty members for research and documentation: Khandie  Balmeo, Ruth Magistrado, and Rochelle Yu

Arlene dela Cruz – On-air liaison in UP Mass Communication

On-Air Broadcast

MomSkwela partnered with DZUP 1602 in collaboration with the U.P. College of Mass Communications. There is a weekly talk show on radio and Facebook Live every Thursday, 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm. MomSkwela noontime chat’s creative and dynamic programming puts prime value to the target audience’s lifestyle, needs, and interests, delivered with dignity and humor. Each week is uniquely purpose-driven and engaging. Experts and industry practitioners, radio hosts, and guest moms have so much to share on topics such as role and value of a mother, managing family funds, and spousal relationship. MomSkwela’s target audience/learners are mothers and educators, ages 20-35, who come from the C and D socioeconomic classes in key urban areas.

On-Ground: Santolan Elementary School

Participants in our on-ground efforts are 41 teachers and mothers of children enrolled in Santolan Elementary School in Pasig, who articulated their need to become better homemakers and educators.

Invited experts and recognized specialists manage the three-hour teaching-learning session each month,  all focused on the empowerment rudiments of a theme/topic, using methods and synergistic processes  specific to their expressed needs as teachers/mothers/parents, moving them forward from where they are at a particular point in time.

The first session on July 31, 2019 was about sharing MomSkwela’s vision and mission, focusing on “My Role and Value as Woman, Wife and Mother.” Teachers and mothers expressed their commitment to deepen the meaning of the MomSkwela Vision to become “empowered teachers and mothers who are God-centered, caring, confident, educated, and equipped to develop and bring up quality children that will change the world for better tomorrow.”

The second session on August 20 was about “Strengthening Communication within the Family.” Mothers and teachers were enlightened on what/who they are in terms of communication among their family members.

“The Family as the School for Character Building” was the focus in September, wherein participants were presented cases and scenarios as learning references on creating habits and routines that would make one’s personality.

On October 3, 2019, participants were asked individually about the learning and influence of MomSkwela in their everyday living and how they were in handling situations in their respective  families  nowadays. They appreciated their chats with their mentors who explained the possible consequences of their acts and guided them on what could be the best decision to make.

The fifth session, on October 23, was on “Stress Management: Family and Work Life Balance,” centered on the fact that stress is part of life and that mothers have to be aware of it and know how to manage it. They were reminded of the need to be mindful of how they react and how their words and actions affect others.

The topic on “Financial Management” imparted lessons on basic budgeting and on the discipline to save. Question-and-answer interaction clarified simple formula in managing family funds.

The seventh session on November 19 was a talk by Dr. Rina Villegas on Family Life that integrated learning from all MomSkwela sessions and their relevance in the participants’ home, family, school, and community. Dr. Rina discussed the importance of having mentors/coaches in the journey. MomSkwela Mentoring Program was set up, officially activating a team of Support Mentors.

The eighth session on December 19, “I Choose You,” also served as the participants’ Advent recollection.  Participants were invited to self-mirroring and reflection on relationships with spouses, children, co-workers, and neighbors as they were challenged to discover new strengths and connect competencies and skills. Participants were coached on how to shift from “problem/complaint mode” to “solution/help mode.”

Last February 11, 2020, we asked the participants to write the most significant impact of MomSkwela in their life, and which specific knowledge, skills, and values they have already imbibed at home, in school, and their environment. We share with you parts of some letters.

Nasasabi ko na ang mga gusto kong sabihin sa aking mga anak na hindi sila masasaktan, na madali lang nilang maiintindihan kung ano ang nais kong iparating sa kanila. Communication is the best thing na natutunan ko sa MomSkwela.   – Lucita O. Delos Reyes

In my many years without MomSkwela yet, I spent all my money for my kids (like buying dresses) and wala akong naiipon. When I started here in MomSkwela, I really stopped doing this  kind of behavior. Instead, I kept some of my money as savings kaya napaayos ko ang aming bahay. – Jessica Ponce

Tinuruan ako ng MomSkwela kung paano bilang magulang na maging firm sa mga anak ko pero at the same time very open sila sa akin kung ano ang kanilang daily activities. Nakakabawas ng alalahanin na baka maligaw sila ng landas… At bilang maybahay sa aking asawa, mas naa-appreciate niya kung ano ako ngayon sa aming tahanan. At lahat ay natutunan kong ipagpasalamat sa Diyos. – Merrilyn D. Atienza

 

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Dr. Linnie M. Dinopol is Senior Vice President of Organization Management and Development Systems, Inc., provider of professional services on human resource and organization development and systems.  She is deeply involved in the advocacy of empowerment of mothers, families, and communities in media and education.

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Note: This article was part of the lineup for the May 2020 issue of Universitas, which aimed to tackle the importance of dialogues. The magazine had to be modified, however, due to the coronavirus pandemic.