For this Life-Changing year, District Governor Augusto Soliman created the PWD Concerns Committee, whose goal is to alleviate the hardships experienced by persons with disabilities (PWDs). One group that falls in this category is the special education (SPED) transitional students. The primary goal of community or school-based SPED programs is to provide literacy, numeracy, and livelihood skills to handicapped children through government or community-provided resources. In line with this program, the PWD Concerns Team conceived Tulay, a livelihood project for the SPED transitional students and their parents. It was the Team’s vision that the project would help them mitigate the harsh reality of the students and give them a sense of independence and well-being.
The Tulay project provided SPED schools at no cost with 840 livelihood starter kits for making liquid dishwashing soap. Each kit would produce 15 liters of liquid dishwashing soap, sell at market price and generate income for the students and parents. For a minimal P290 per kit, the students would realize a gain of approximately P350 per kit. The project also provided 300 mushroom fruit bags which the Team distributed to SPED schools equipped with space for growing mushrooms. The students, after 2 weeks, could harvest mushrooms for 3 months and sell at market price. It is another livelihood opportunity.
The Team met with SPED schools officials, teachers, and parents to explain the project and its process to achieve this goal. The Team also coordinated with RI District zones 1 to 8, covering Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela, Caloocan, Marikina, Pasig, San Juan, Mandaluyong, and Rizal for the implementation of the project in the SPED schools within their respective zones. As soon as the Team had finalized the arrangements for project implementation, the Team purchased 840 starter kits and pet bottles for the liquid dishwashing soap. It took a road trip to Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija, to buy 5,400 mushroom fruit bags. Thus, from October 18 to October 28, the Team visited 42 participating SPED schools in the District. The Team with the Life Changing Presidents demonstrated to the SPED students, teachers, and parents how to make liquid dishwashing soap. The excitement of the SPED students on seeing the finished product was palpable. Likewise, the Team sighed a sigh of satisfaction, recognizing that they brought to those students a project that promised a bridge from hardship to a better life during the pandemic and normal times.
The implementation of the project Tulay was a success. Beneficiary SPED school superintendents, teachers, and parents were with one voice in expressing their gratitude to Rotary International for this valuable support to special education students and their families. Local media did not lose sight of this successful endeavor by Rotary International District 3800 through the PWD Concerns Committee. This Rotary story made waves in local news via PTV4, DZRH Teleradyo, Net 25, Inquirer TV, and online social media.
Once again, Rotary International District 3800 is at the forefront of meaningful, impactful service projects. Through projects like these, we help in promoting Rotary, its mission, and its vision. We can achieve our goals only through the collaborative efforts of every Rotarian in our District. The project Tulay is another demonstration of Rotarians coming together, working together hand in hand to serve their communities with a spirit of friendship.
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