Outreach Program: Tahanang Walang Hagdanan
I'll be sharing my reflection paper after we had our outreach program at the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan in Cainta, Rizal. The people there were very nice and welcoming. Even the security guards there were very nice when they accommodate us in the place. So here it is.
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| In this photo, I am with Ate Dessa :) |
Last 2nd day of March, we were scheduled to conduct an outreach program at the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan. The outreach activity is a requirement from our CSR 003 subject (Corporate and Social Responsibility). From this activity, we are expected to understand the organization of the TWH and to see the life of the orthopedically handicapped persons who were a part of this organization. Our group prepared gifts for them and we also give foods. From the process of organizing the outreach and making it happen, I must say that it was a bit hard since I am the leader of the group. I am in charge of planning on what we will do for the outreach and I was also the one who processed certain documents.
Throughout the hardships and efforts that my group mates and I had put into, we were able to conduct the outreach program and made it possible to happen. This experience was indeed fulfilling and from the difficulties we had, it all paid off as we get to the TWH. From the outreach program, we were able to understand more what the TWH is all about. We also had a chance to roam around the place and see the different working departments. We went at the packaging department wherein the medicine packaging happens; we also went in the Wood Craft. We also learned that TWH offers a SPED program to those people with special needs. Since they started, they offered jobs to the orthopedically handicapped persons. The organization believed that persons with disabilities have the strength and ability to work and provide needs for themselves and for their family.
This half day activity was filled with realizations. I have come to understand the life of the persons with disabilities as I’ve felt their warm welcome to us. I am very thankful to Ate Dessa, who assisted us and tours us in the TWH. Ate Dessa is also an orthopedically handicapped, as we spend time with her, we learned things as she shared the story of her life. Her condition is challenging, she was only 17 years old when she was no longer able to walk. When she was still in her adjustment period and getting used in sitting in a wheel chair, she thought of ending her life. She thinks that she can no longer do things because of her condition, but a friend of hers which is also a person with disability told her about the TWH. Ate Dessa apply for a job in the said organization and as she was become a part ofit, she was able to show that she could do things. She now has her own family and still working in TWH.
Relating to what happened with Ate Dessa, opportunities are for all of us. It doesn’t limit the individuals’ strengths and it chooses no one. TWH is the opportunity for Ate Dessa and for all the persons with disabilities. This outreach program is a realization for all of us, we learned new perspective in life. It is really a good experience knowing the people from TWH and I will be surely grateful to come back and visit them again.
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| Some of the pictures we had with the PWDs :) |
“Respect your fellow human being, treat them fairly, disagree with them honestly, enjoy their friendship, explore your thoughts about one another candidly, work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it.” – Bill Bradley
