What?
The Trade School network is a collective of self-organized, barter-for-knowledge schools across the world. The project began in 2009, as an experiment by Caroline Woolard, Rich Watts, and Louise Ma—a group of New York City artists, some of whom are also behind resource sharing network OurGoods. As they switched to a storefront setup, they then came up with barter-for-knowledge. Over the course of 35 days, more than 800 people participated in 76 single-session classes. Classes ranged from scrabble strategy and how to make compost, to grant-writing and ghost hunting. In return, teachers received running shoes, mixed CDs, flowers, and more. Today, a collective of local Trade School organizers in different cities across the world continue to keep the community alive.Trade School in Manila
Back in 2012, a group of friends (Vanessa Abastillas, Jamaica Eileen Cachuela, Joanna Capones, Kristine Enriquez, Ethel Katrina Francisco, Antoinette Jadaone, Dana Salonga, and Clarice Fong) heard about the barter-for-knowledge classes in Singapore and reached out to the organizers in NY to look into organizing one here in Manila. As classes took off, the rest is history.How It Works:
- People offer to teach a class about something they know.
- They decide on a list of barter items they’re interested in receiving. Barter items can be in the form of goods or services, both tangible and intangible. For example: jars, music tips, clothes, vegetables, or help with something (like finding an apartment).
- Students sign up for their class by agreeing to bring something from their list.
