CTED Students with certificates

CTED Students holding their certificates take a pose together with facilitators and mediators

A heartfelt thanks to all

CTED Students, facilitators and mediators expressed their gratitude to Liliane Foundation

The first series of Health Camp for the Computer Trainers Education for the Deaf (CTED

Project scholars was held last May 19-21, 2011 at the Brothers of Charity, Barangay Pucay, Baguio City.

22 of the 25 scholars were able to attend and participate in the Health Camp. All the mediators and staffs that represent the scholars, staffs of Liliane Foundation Philippines, 2 workers from CMDP and an invited speaker/facilitation Ms. Boots Mendoza were also present.

The objective of the Health Camp was to develop the personal facet of the scholars and for them to grow into the “fullness of life” and take their rightful place in the society. The CTED project aims to produce qualified and competent Deaf trainers. So, aside from the intense classroom/ academic activities, we also would want to incorporate other activities that will hone these scholars to become ready for such expectations.

Deaf sometime gets less support from family members because of communication barriers and this could spawn into other problems like developing a stable emotional personality or the feeling of helplessness. And because of them belonging to a small minority group, they have less variety of experiencing roles, behaviors and relationships.

We were able to tackle these issues during the Health Camp and the participants had expressed positive responses to the said activity.

They were in the country to do some research as a journalist and to work on a story about people with disabilities in developing countries. Their main area of focus was the income generation opportunities of LFP since we are involved in a microfinance project called Persons With Disability in Entrepreneurship (PWDE) Project for people with disabilities.

To have a full grasped of how the project is being implemented, we flew them to Cebu City for a field visit and interview some selected project beneficiaries. We also scheduled a meeting with the staffs of Philippine Cooperative Central Fund Federation (PCF) to know more about the management of the project.

A trip to Barangay Guba and Barangay Adlawon is a 1.5 – 2hr. drive by a private vehicle and located in the mountainous part of Cebu. The area is the agricultural basket of the province where they produced vegetables and cut flowers. It is so far from the city that they seldom receive support from government agencies.

Providing them with this kind of project is an opportunity for them to prosper and augment their income and to be able to sustain their family’s needs.

“Kampo Para sa mga Iso” (Iso is a kamayo term of children), having the vision of helping and assisting special children socialize with he community and to become independent. It aims to open the eyes of the participating volunteers for heartwarming service and to make them understand the different situations and the feelings of the special children.

It has been the Loving Presence Foundation’s tradition in coordination wtih the different government offices and the Bislig Committee for the Welfare of Special Persons to organize a summer camp for special children.

For this year and for the 6th time around this Summer Camp was once again conducted. Having the theme: “Summer Kamp ParaISO ang tinuod nga paraISO para sa mga batang adunay kapansanan (Summer Camp the true paradise for special children). By this time, 50 children with special needs able to make their summer vacation a paradise. Lots of activities were done (art making, theatre plays, talent’s night, parlor games and a lot more) which had been a huge help for the kids in developing and enhancing their talents, self-esteem and somehow taught them of how to be independent.

It was such a tiresome, week-longed activity for us organizers but looking the faces of special children having their big smiles somehow eases the exhaustion. They might not be able to tell, for they don’t know how to say it, but we knew these special children had been very thankful and grateful to us.

The activity will never be this successful without the help of our partner organizations and our special thanks to the Stitching Liliane Fond through Liliane Foundation Philippines.

Liliane Partners and Scholars

Liliane Partners and Scholars

The photo-video shoot is part of the footage that will be used for the creation of a 3-minute video greetings that was presented to the Liliane Fonds Head Office in Netherlands. Here is the finished video:

Liliane National Coordinator Sis. Agnetia Naval gives her special Christmas message.

Liliane National Coordinator Sis. Agnetia Naval gives her special Christmas message.

Liliane National Correspondent Tess Dela Cruz welcomes all the mediators and representatives of partner organizations.

Liliane National Correspondent Tess Dela Cruz welcomes all the mediators and representatives of partner organizations.

A delicious Christmas party meal courtesy of all the partner organizations in pot luck.

A delicious Christmas party meal courtesy of all the partner organizations in pot luck.

Liliane gives special gifts to partner organizations.

Liliane gives special gifts to partner organizations.

Liliane Philippines officials, staff and mediators

Liliane Philippines officials, staff and mediators

The affair was attended by mediators and representatives of Metro Manila partner organizations. Sis Agnes increased 2010′s goal by 500 to further provide medical, financial, educational and other assistance to disabled kids in the Philippines.

“Lord, here am I, Send me!”, was the main topic of her message as she announced her 50th year in religious service on May 15, 2010. She opined that there are still many children out there who are in need of assistance. She was also equally excited to the partner organizations for their enthusiasm in doing their mandate to help the children of the Lord.

Videoke singing, well wishers and sharing of blessings among mediators and organization representatives dominated the festive occasion which lasted in the early evening. Liliane has more than 100 partner organizations nationwide as well as a dozen more in Vietnam.

The Australian Government aims to establish a situational analysis on how government and non-government institutions in the Philippines involved in disability issues are implementing activities to address inclusive development for programs that support Persons With Disabilities. They aim to establish a partnership program through their “Development for All” initiatives with focus on people with disabilities.

Clockwise from left: MCCID's Jerome Marzan and Jojo Esposa, Akap Pinoy's Daylin Taleon, Liliane Foundation Philippines' Tess Dela Cruz (writing on the board), NCDA Executive Director Geraldine Ruiz, Nova Foundation's Noli Agcaoili and Autism Society of the Philippines' Nilo Sorongon

Key AusAID officials attended the affair coordinated by Ms. Bernadette Cariaga, Program Officer for Development Cooperation and Focal Person for Disability. With education for people with disabilities as its main agenda, the participants were divided into groups addressing the Philippine educational system. The groups were able to come up with situations and successful programs which answers the following questions:

1. What is working well- examples of practice that are working particularly well in certain contexts?
2. What are the factors present that are contributing to the successful examples given and
3. What are the resources- knowledge, skills, experience, financial, that we have and can make use of?
4. What need to be the future objectives in the short (3 years) to medium (5 years) term?/li>
5. What needs to be done and actions to achieve them- the steps that need to take place, the contributors to the action, the types of resources required?

Liliane Foundation Philippines joined the Alternative Learning System of Education Situational Analysis for Persons With Disabilities with members led by National Council on Disability Affairs Executive Director Geraldine Ruiz (facilitator), MCCID College of Technology Training Director Jojo Esposa together with Deaf Teacher Jerome Marzan, Autism Society of the Philippines Executive Director Ranilo Sorongon, Nova Foundation President Noli Agcaoili and Akap Pinoy Representative Daylin Taleon. The group was able to come up with good practices which addresses employability, self-sustaining, improvement of life, enjoyment of life and productivity.

The group was able to coin a new term replacing the Alternative Learning System. They renamed it as “ALTERNATIVE TECHNICAL/PRACTICAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES (ATPLO)“. They agreed that no skill is too high that is unachievable for PWD. Focus on individualized learning abilities of PWDs. Extend reasonable accommodation to upgrade and enhance the qualifications of PWDS as part of advocacy based on UN-CRPD.

In strategizing for ATPLO, the group was able to come up with the following:

1. Device a disability specific assessment tools to be re-adapted for PWD. Look into various skills, learning abilities. (OT, DPOs, OSHD).
2. Must form a technical working group, interdisciplinary group for PWDs in ATPLO. Recommended to TESDA, DEPED, and industry or cross-platform for approval for skills assessment. This is a work in progress.
3. Device a communication system that can be easily assimilated for training and for Human Resource companies. This is used to facilitate learning in ATPLO.
4. Localize the collaboration/networking between NGO-LGUs (case of Laguna ASP Chapter with CP, DS). Empower or devolve these enhancement courses to local Disability Peoples Organization (DPO).
5. Create safeguard measures to protect ideas and to ensure the exclusive rights to products, ideas and services for PWDs.
6. Document and promote successful ATPLO projects for replication or adaptation per LGUs, disability sectors. (Case study: SM-PFRD Coping Seminar)
7. Start ATPLO early on. Focus on transition. Select better option or opportunities, which are technical/practical in nature. Educate parents to give options from traditional education to one responsive to the child’s needs. (ATPLO caters to persons with intellectual disabilities). Campaign to parents of PWD and professionals catering to PWD for options to traditional education.
8. Consortium on best practices between, GO, NGOs, DPOs and professional associations. Encourage more stakeholdership to develop more champions for PWDs using ATPLO.

Basic Education, through support for programs under the Government of Philippines Basic Education Reform Agenda to assist the Philippines to achieve its MDG target for universal primary education. This includes support for school based management, rationalisation of teacher deployments to ensure coverage of remote schools, text book provision and school building construction. Increased support will be provided to improve access to and quality of education for children in disadvantaged and conflict affected areas.

Liliane Philippines Partners Organization

Liliane Foundation Philippines Partners Organization and mediators participated in the first Philippine Community Based Rehabilitation Congress which was successfully held at Manila Pavilion Hotel last August 25-27, 2009.

The Philippine CBR Congress was spearheaded by the National Council on Disability Affairs in partnership with Christian Blind Mission. Ms. Ma. Theresa Dela Cruz, LFP National Correspondent was one of the event’s co-facilitators and emcees.

The Philippine CBR Congress was attended by local government units, National and Regional government agencies, DPOs, NGOs, family support groups, the business sector, civil society,a cademe, INGOs, professional bodies and the media, who are interested in promoting Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) as a rights based strategy for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society.

During the congress, the participants were divided into groups according to issues and concerns related to health, education, livelihood, social, empowerment and governance. They were able to tackle roles and relationships of each sector and how to organize themselves in order to implement the CBR strategy.

The event was culminated by the launching of the first Philippine CBR Manual and the announcement of the 2nd Asia-Pacific CBR Congress which will be hosted by our country in 2011.

Manila Pavilion Hotel, United Nations Avenue corner Ma. Orosa Street, Manila

Aims:

• Celebrate the gains made by CBR while addressing current challenges in the Philippines;
• Arrive at a common understanding of CBR in the Philippines which is in harmony with the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and the Biwako Framework (+5);
• Promote the adoption of CBR by Local Government Units;
• Set the stage for the Organization of the Philippine CBR Network;
• Announce the hosting of the 2nd Asia Pacific CBR Congress in 2011.

The Philippine CBR Congress hopes to gather LGUs, National and Regional government agencies, DPOs, NGOs, family support groups, the business sector, civil society,a cademe, INGOs, professional bodiesn and the media, who are interested in promoting Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) as a rights based strategy for the inclusion of persons with disabilities in society.

For further information, contact the Secretariat:
CBR Coordinating Office, Philippines, Phone: (+632) 522-44-29, e-mail: cbmcbrph@pldtdsl.net

winners

Winners of disabled friendly websites with Ms. Gigi Ruiz of NCDA and Jojo Esposa of PWAG

The officials and evaluating team of the Philippine Web Accessibility Group together with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), awarded the Official Website of Liliane Foundation Philippines given last July 10, 2009 Friday at the Asian Institute of Management in Paseo De Roxas Avenue, Makati City. Sis. Agnetia Naval, LFP National Coordinator received the plaque of recognition.

The LFP website was designed by Kerwin Tamanu, a deaf alumnus of MCCID College of Technology. The short awarding program is part of the Web Design Conference initiated by the newly-formed Philippine Web Design Organization with which PWAG is one of its partners. The plaques of recognition were donated by the National Council on Disability Affairs.

Aside from the LFP site, other websites that received the awards were:

• www.philcecnet.ph – Official E-center Community Portal of the National Computer Center represented by Ms. Cuchie Echeverria
• www.blinding-light.com – Personal Website of Ms.Miko Reznor (Anna Monica Esguerra)
• webstandards.raquedan.com - Standard Web Standards Website of Regnard Kreisler Raquedan

NCDA is the government agency tasked to lead and monitor programs and policies related to Persons with Disabilities in the Philippines. Recognizing websites that are “Disabled Friendly” has been part of the government’s initiative in encouraging other government agencies as well as private individuals and groups in designing their websites which are accessible to all including those with physical disabilities. NCDA’s Executive Director Geraldine Ruiz presented the plaques.