Tag: Greg Secker

The Emergency Trip Video

The Emergency Trip Video

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 13 Sep 2017

In August you may recall us mentioning that Greg, Dean and our Ambassador, Ms Angelia Ong had to make an emergency trip to the village. One of our beneficiary families had lost their home in a flood and needed help. Greg made the decision to fly out and with the help of his team literally picked up the remains of the house (just the roof!) and carry it to a new safer plot.  The community all rallied together, it is just so reassuring that not only have we built a village but also created an environment where they all come together, and will now not only survive in, but thrive in.

It is thanks to you all with your donations that we are able to give these beneficiaries a life change. In January, we will be celebrating the completion of the village and welcome anyone that wants to join us to please do. For more information on this please get in touch with one of the team on info@gregseckerfoundation.com  We look forward to seeing you there and joining us in this life changing experience. 

 

CPU hold a ‘Packaging Lecture’ in the village

CPU hold a ‘Packaging Lecture’ in the village

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 11 Sep 2017
Last Saturday, the Department of Packaging, from the College of Engineering, at the Central Philippine University visited the Greg Secker Foundation Village to conduct a series of Lectures and activities.  This course can only be taken at the CPU so we were incredibly lucky to have the students with us.
 
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In line with the course, the students taught the beneficiaries all about packaging products, and how important it is to put a label on correctly so that it is eye catching to the consumer. Our ‘Atsara Ladies’ really benefited from listening to this.  A couple of months ago, we mentioned that our mothers from the village were setting up their own ‘Atsara’ business, (Picked Papaya).
A few of the students designed some labels which are fantastic – now we just need to decide, with their help and yours of course, which one would look best.  
 
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The children from Grade four, five and six also had a fun day, learning Origami (Japanese way of folding paper). They also received gifts of school supplies which was so kind of the students. 
 
 
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Once the lectures were finished and the children had finished doing Origami, everyone came together and all took part in games and dancing which filled the afternoon with laughter, not only from the children but the students and parents too.  We are so lucky to have such a wonderful community.
 
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And finally, the students donated two dustbins to be used in the village. So generous, thank you for everything that you do to help the beneficiaries in our village. heart 
 
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Giving to Charity Good for Business Survey Finds

Giving to Charity Good for Business Survey Finds

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 7 Sep 2017

New research from the Greg Secker Foundation and YouGov finds 54% of UK respondents believe UK businesses should give a percentage of annual profit to charity by law. 

LONDON, UK, September 5, 2017 – New research from social development charity, the Greg Secker Foundation, has revealed 54% of UK respondents believe UK businesses should be required to give a percentage of their annual profits to charity by law, outlining a strong moral obligation for businesses within the UK. The research – conducted among over 2,000 UK adults (+18) – questioned public opinion on whether UK businesses are doing enough for charities. The results show many UK businesses are missing a trick by not focusing more of their efforts on philanthropic activities.

The findings revealed donating a small percentage of annual profits (up to 5%) to charity would significantly better the image of the business to consumers. If consumers knew a UK business gave 5% of its annual profits to charity:

  • 43% would have a more positive opinion of the company
  • 20% would use this company over competitors companies
  • 17% would recommend the company to friends/family

The research also found donating a percentage of profits isn’t the only option for businesses, with 41% of those surveyed believing businesses should be doing more for charity as a whole. Offering pro-bono services that map back to the business’ specific area of expertise came out on top with 25% of respondents wanting to see more of this. Donating more of their profits followed with 24% and upskilling members of the community 21%.

“UK businesses are already doing excellent work for the third sector, and the government’s tax relief incentives are certainly a step in the right direction. However, what these results show is there is public appetite for more, both morally and legally,” said Greg Secker, founder of the Greg Secker Foundation. “Time and time again we see the benefits a thorough corporate social responsibility programme offers businesses, with the figures here speaking for themselves. By simply donating a small percentage of annual profits to charity, businesses are able to increase brand loyalty, positively shift perceptions, and increase their potential customer pool, all the while helping a good cause. We would just like to encourage businesses to keep the third sector in mind because helping out is good for business.”

Research Methodology

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2191 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 22nd – 23rd August 2017. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all UK adults (aged 18+). References to “UK businesses”, relate to private sector businesses of 50 or more employees.

An amazing £70,000 raised for the Foundation.

An amazing £70,000 raised for the Foundation.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 9 Sep 2017

On Tuesday September 5th,  ‘Flying Trader2’ was launched, with our Founder, Greg, taking to the skies in his helicopter trading both the European and US currency markets with clients from Learn to Trade UK and South Africa based on the trading floors.  All commissions from the trading activities and the profits from Greg and his team were being donated to the Foundation. Just incredible!

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The morning sky did not look appealing.  The cloud was thick, grey and low but Greg was determined to get airborne as soon as possible. It wasn’t long before he was up and away and the trading could begin with his top traders around the world, scanning the markets for trades using state of the art software.

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After several re-fuels back to the airport, Greg was able to do a ‘flypast’ over the Learn to Trade offices in London and then land into Battersea helipad. The clients were able to meet Greg and talk about the excitement of the trades of the day.

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Flypast

The day was a huge success and a whopping £70,000 has been raised from the day. We really can not thank everyone enough.  

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The money will go towards funding the building of the 100 houses in our village, as well as the livelihood program we have planned once the village is open in January. 70 homes are complete and now, because of this amazing contribution we will be even closer to hitting our target of 100 houses this year. 

Flying Trader2 have already set another date, the 28th September 2017. If you are interested in joining this fantastic day please visit www.flyingtrader.org

Our Year 6 pupils receive a very generous gift…

Our Year 6 pupils receive a very generous gift…

By DR June Sanico 1 Reply 4 Sep 2017
Ms Katrina Jucaban
 
Since Saturday classes began in the village, Ms Katrina Jucaban, a 3rd year education student, majoring in Mathematics has been involved with our Year 6 pupils – teaching them different topics every week. This week she was teaching them to tell the time, but… with a huge surprise up her sleeve!  She turned up with a watch for each and every pupil that she teaches, and all of these were brought by herself as a gift to the children.  The children could not believe it and were so thankful to Ms Katrina.  What a fantastic incentive to get them to learn to tell the time. 
 
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We have been told, that this is in fact not the first time that she has turned up with presents. She regularly comes with food and other gifts for them too. 
 
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So incredibly generous, thank you Ms Katrina on behalf of us all at GSF. heart
 
 
 
The vegetable gardens are thriving.

The vegetable gardens are thriving.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 29 Aug 2017

Over the last few months, the beneficiaries have been working so hard planting vegetables and fruit plants around the village. They want to be as sustainable as possible for when they move into their new houses in a couple of months time.  

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They have made full use of the Materials Recovery Facility (recycling area) that they built. The mothers used cans, containers and plastic bottles to plant some vegetables and hang amongst the bamboo. 

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Alya (our social worker) has sent us some pictures of fantastic looking fruits and vegetables that the beneficiaries have sowed and cared for and are ready for harvesting!

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In the pictures we can see lady finger, egg plant, long beans, papaya, lemon grass and spring onions! 

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When the students from Central Philippine University were at the village they helped the beneficiaries with harvesting some of it to take home to their families too.  The beneficiaries are so happy to share their produce as the students from CPU look after their children so well on Saturdays teaching them. 

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Well done to Alya and all the beneficiaries for working so hard in growing food for the village!

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Saturday classes are the highlight of the week for the children.

Saturday classes are the highlight of the week for the children.

By DR June Sanico Leave a comment 23 Aug 2017

Saturday’s in the village cannot come around fast enough for the children. They are so excited to see the teachers from the College of Education of the Central Philippine University. The children jump up and down in excitement as they see the teachers arrive. What have they got in store for them today?…….

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The teachers started the day by teaching the children basic school work and then onto singing nursery rhythms and some dancing. They finished in the classrooms with some story telling which the children really enjoyed.  They were captivated by these fascinating stories which took their minds and dreams to far away places.  One day in the future we hope to be able to make their dreams come true. 

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The children were then given a lesson on hygiene and the importance of it. Starting with basic hand washing. To you and I such an everyday routine that we don’t even think about, but to the children of the village a totally new experience.

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The teachers handed out combs, soaps and shampoos to the children to start using everyday.

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The parents told Alya (our social worker) that they are so appreciative of what the children are experiencing every Saturday. They could not afford to send them to school and get this private tuition and they are so grateful to everyone for everything that the children are getting.

For us, this is just the start of our Education Program plans – stay tuned to find out more….

 

 

 

Putting Angelia to work 😉

Putting Angelia to work 😉

By Rachel Ainsworth Leave a comment 11 Aug 2017

Well as you can imagine, Angelia has been put straight to work in the foundation as our new Ambassador. After helping Greg move Nena and her two sons last week, Angelia has been keen to keep the ball rolling.

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She started by giving a message of encouragement to the beneficiaries and the newly elected Village Officers. She spoke about her advocacy to save mother nature, and that being poor is not wrong unless you strive to have a better life for your family and children. ‘We can, so we will’ – Her slogan from winning Miss Earth in 2015. Our Beneficiaries were so amazed by her beauty and words. And as she spoke in their mother tongue she oozed sincerity.

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Next Angelia planted a Narra tree which is the National tree of the Philippines and a symbol to welcome her in to the Foundation.  

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Alya our social worker, showed Angelia the new crèche. This is mainly used so our builders, contractors and other workers on site, have a safe place for their children to be cared for during the day. Alya did such a great job making the crèche an inviting and friendly place for the children – Thanks Alya.

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Angelia handed out plastic toy gardening tools to the children, so they could learn how to plant and grow fruit and vegetables. These type of life skills are so important for them to be self sufficient, and really will help give them the best start in life.

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In addition to the crèche we have converted some of the houses into class rooms temporarily. Teachers from the CPU (Central Philippines University), have been teaching Saturday classes every week all the way from Kindergarten to Grade Six. Angelia and Greg left little pre-school kits for the kids, this included work books, exercise books, reading books and  colouring books.

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They also left a lovely message on the chalk board to motivate and inspire the children. Alya showed them the tables and chairs in the classrooms as these were all made by our beneficiary fathers.  

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We are so grateful to have Angelia on board, and can see the impact she will make is huge.

Thanks again from all of us at GSF.

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Rescuing Raymond – The Emergency Trip

Rescuing Raymond – The Emergency Trip

By Rachel Ainsworth 1 Reply 7 Aug 2017

Are you ready for an emotional roller coaster? I hope you’ve got a box of tissues close by!

Last week, we were having our foundation update call as normal. DR our project co-ordinator based in the Philippines alerted us about a flood, that had affected one of our beneficiary families due to move into the village later this year.

Nena the mother, her two boys Rodolfo and Raymond and her beautiful baby granddaughter.

Raymond was blinded in an accident at the age of 10 and after the boy’s Father passed away, despite being completely blind, Raymond became the family’s main bread-winner.  Due to his disability, he is completely dependent on his brother Rodolfo for his every need and every day they both walk for over an hour to the next town where Rodolfo helps Raymond find a safe place to sit, so he can spend the day begging for money. Meanwhile Rodolfo rents a bicycle with a sidecar and uses it as a taxi to ferry people around the town.

Together in a day they earn enough money to put food on the table for just one single day.

Their home is made from Bamboo and scrap wood and located next to the Capinahan river. When the river flooded their wooden home was damaged and all their belongings ruined. With this news Greg organised to fly out and offer them some immediate support taking with him Dean Russell, Team Lead for the trip. WhatsApp Image 2017-08-07 at 06.45.54

Now a little side note…

The Greg Secker Foundation has been in regular conversations with Angelia Ong a Chinese Filipino model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Philippines Earth 2015 and was later crowned as Miss Earth 2015. Born in Manilla but raised in Iloilo City she had heard of our foundation and strongly believed in the work we are doing! We decided to approach her with a view to making her an Ambassador.

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We are very pleased to announce that she accepted! With Greg’s short notice trip to help Nena and her family he called in the troops, including Angelia.

 

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They met in Manilla and flew down to Lemery together. A helicopter was the quickest way to get them to Iloilo where DR picked them up and took them straight to Nena, Raymond and Rodolfo.

This is what they saw..

 

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Greg comforted them and promised them he wouldn’t leave before making their living situation safer.

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Greg had an idea, but needed more helping hands! He took the GSF team back to the village to speak to the contractors working on site and the beneficiaries tidying. They decided on a well know process called Bayanihan system, this is a Filipino custom derived from a Filipino word “bayan”, which means nation, town or community. The term bayanihan itself literally means “being in a bayan”, which refers to the spirit of communal unity, work and cooperation to achieve a particular goal. Bayanihan also comes from the word “bayani” which means ‘hero’. It can also mean that by helping one another, we can be each other’s hero.

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It took three trucks to bring the willing volunteers back to Nena. Then this happened…

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We are so pleased to announce that the house move into the village was successful and Nena and her family are now safe from future floods.

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As you can imagine this caught the attention of the media! They have promised to share with us some footage of the day so keep your eyes out for this on our Facebook page.

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A big thank you to all of our GSF team, contractors and beneficiaries for all your hard work and help on this trip! We have shown that…

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