The Direct Aid Program (DAP) of the Australian Embassy sponsored the provision of Water and Sanitation Facility for the Livelihood Workshops of Persons with Disability under the office of Ms. Tammie Dawes, Secretary DAP Committee of the Australian Embassy and Ms. Doris Avila DAP Resource Officer. This project which is truly beneficial provides clean water and the much needed sanitation and accessibility for the center’s 350 working force most of whom are persons with disability. The completion of the project was done in September 2011. To date, we are doing strict implementation of monitoring and maintenance of this facility.

The proposal for the construction of a second floor in the metalcraft department was approved during the latter part of 2011 by CBM.  A project that will not only expand the production facility of the metalcraft but  will also respond to disaster preparedness of TWH workers and staff since the second floor will also serve as an evacuation area for persons with disability in case of flooding. This is CBMs second grant following the project they have supported in 2010 “Recovery from Typhoon Ondoy & Disaster Preparedness” which covers: Disaster Preparedness; Procurement of new equipments; Recovery of lost inventory; New roof construction; Roof extension; Overhauling of the Dust Collector and Improvements on Work Safety. The on-going construction project is part of CBM’s emergency response to Disaster Preparedness program and will take place for a period of 90 days. Our heartfelt thanks to Mr. Rainer Guetler,  Regional Director CBM SEAPRO, his staff and to Ms. Addah Arcilla, our project coordinator.

The House with no Steps Australia thru its CEO Mr. Andrew Richardson has also approved the proposal for the renovation of an existing structure to be the Administration building where all the offices will be concentrated to enhance work flow among the staff.  Our heartfelt thanks to the Board of Directors of the House with no Steps Australia, Mr. Andrew Richardson and to Mrs. Dorothy Watts who will do the ceremonial ground breaking.

TAHANANG WALANG HAGDANAN (TWH) with Tango Argentina de Filipinas (TAF)—a newly formed group dedicated to promote the Argentine Tango all over the country has featured the TWH Wheelchair Ballroom Dancers with BMG group together with the world’s renowned and most sought Argentine Tango dance Master PABLO VERON last August 16, 2011 at the Manila Polo Club, McKinley Road Forbes Park, Makati City.

This unique opportunity helped us a lot spike the interest of Filipino dancers learning the beautiful Argentine Tango with a new view of eventually competing in the international arena.  Profit generated from the event goes to the training of Filipino Tango Aficionados and TWH Ballroom Dan-cers.  Many thanks to Ms. Mari Trillo and group!!!

TWH – Wheels of Volunteers started in 2011 with the objective of establishing local and international volunteer. Long before we opened this program, there have been letters requesting for volunteer services.  We made an assessment on our needs and current resources and enhanced the program to benefit both the organization and the volunteers.  Most of them were walk-in partners,  clients, visitors, schools, and communities.   To mention a few; Latter day Saints, La Consolacion College, Arellano University , San Beda College, Korean International School, and three individuals named Jenie Jugo, Sarah Basuel and Karina dela Cruz and seminarians named Bro. Randy, Bro. Joel, Bro. Irvin and Bro. Robert from Inter-Theological School in New Manila.  A total of 300 plus volunteers have joined our TWH wheel of volunteers.

CASA BAYANIHAN is an academic program of Sta. Clara University in the United States?  Students come to Manila for 4 months with the desire to integrate rigorous academic studies with direct immersion in marginal communities.  The casa experience is an invitation for students not only to develop their ability to think critically and analyze complexly, but also transform their hearts and minds.

The first batch of students were Annie and Diana headed by Ms. Trena Yonkers, Executive Director,  Sta. Clara University in the USA.  The immersion started in August and ended in December 2011. The students have experienced working in the packaging of medicine and had the chance to mingle and work with persons with disability.  Among the workers whom they were immersed on a weekend were; Marcus and Gemma, Bong Cumagon, Marichu, and Helen. They come to TWH every Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.

THE JEEP PROGRAM  (Junior Engagement) is the praxis component of the course Philosophy of the Human Person at the Ateneo de Manila University.  It aims to enable third year students to engage the world beyond the self.  It provides students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of what it means to be human persons by engaging in the realities of people who experience life on the margins of Philippine society.

The program started six years ago in partnership with the Office of Special Concern and Involvement of the Ateneo de Manila University. They have entered into this partnership on the belief that learning should not be limited in a classroom set up but more so in the actual lives of people living in the different communities. With that school of thought, learning gets more impact on the student’s lives as they go along their education. A total of 100 students were accommodated for work insertion in 2011. This year, eleven students started their work insertion from Mondays to Fridays for four hours. With this, they get the chance to be involved in our various events and activities. Our thanks to OSCI Office!!!

*The CBR conducted its Cataract mission in the municipalities of Baras, Angono, Cardona and Montalban.  A total of 519 patients were screened, 56 of them were operated and 8 patients had a removal of their pyteregium. This is in partnership with RBI and some LGUs.

*Cleft/lip Palate in partnership with NORDHOOF  Foundation and the Our Lady of Peace Hospital, a total of 73 patients availed the free check up and laboratories. 63 patients were operated and the rest are for speech therapy.

*Persons with Hearing impairment in partnership with Better hearing Philippines,  43 persons with hearing problems were screened, 5 of them were provided with hearing aid.

*Thru the CBR program 8 beneficiaries availed of the Mobility Aid assistance of TWH. These wheelchairs were donated by: St. Lukes Hospital, Sea Maritime, Pinoy sa Israel, Sr. Marieke Gielkens, icm, and LDS. Prosthesis were also given to 4 beneficiaries.

*The Feeding Program of the CBR  made use of the scholars who identified the children in the community who are under weight and malnourished.  Through the efforts of the Jala-Jala Parish Church, 148 children benefitted the feeding program.

*Educational Assistance Program a total of 43 students enrolled for the school year 2011-2012; College – 5 students; High school – 30 students and Primary – 8 students.

*Microfinance program - Number of Outreach as  of 2011 :  PWD – 54; Family of PWD – 18; Women – 478

Trainings and Seminars Conducted:

*Inclusive Education – 29 participants coming from public and private schools. Done in October 2011

*CBR orientation – 31 participants  like Barangay Chairman, Kagawad, PWD focal persons and PWD officers of Organizations. Done in December 2011.

GRANTEE’S COMMUNITY SERVICE

The Education Assistance Program Grantees (Cluster 1) together with some Youth from TWH joined together  for an Outreach Activity that aims to share their knowledge, skills and even their time.  Children of Brgy. Mangga, Jala Jala availed of this outreach program.

Educational Assistance Program – For the school year 2011-2012 we have a total of 43 grantees and 14 of them are new. They are divided into 8 Clusters for their Community implementation. At present we have 5 grantees for College, 30 for  High School and 8 are Elementary.

TWH in coordination with the DepED Rizal, conducted the Inclusive Education Seminar on October 21, 2011. This was attended by Head Teachers and Principals of some Private and Public schools in the Province of Rizal.  The orientation aims to promote the rights of Persons with Disability to education and reasonable accomodation.  The challenge is for the DepED’s preparedness to accept Persons with Disability in all levels of education from early childhood to tertiary education.  This is to demand for a reasonable accommodation.

National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC)-PWD sector

TWH is one of the council members of the NAPC-PWD sector thru the representation of Ms. Joy Garia.

The National Anti-Poverty Commission, through Republic Act No. 8425 known as the “Social Reform and Poverty Alleviation Act” created the mechanism for the meaningful participation and engagement of marginalized sectors in the formulation and implementation of the government’s social reform agenda and poverty alleviation program.

The quest of persons with disability (PWDs) to create a rights based society continues! And the 39th anniversary of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan, Inc. (TWH) highlights this quest in our effort to empower our increasing beneficiaries through more effective programs and services. It also marks the full commitment of the center to its mission of uplifting the lives of majority of PWD’s particularly the orthopedically impaired in the Philippines.

The foundation day celebration starts with the Thanksgiving Holy Mass at 9 AM to be officiated by Rev. Msgr. Arnel F. Lagarejos, preceded by registration at 8:00 AM. This is followed by the Groundbreaking Ceremony of the TWH Admin Building in partnership with the House with no Steps Australia represented by Mrs. Dorothy Watts and Groundbreaking Ceremony of the CBM funded project of TWH 2nd Floor Work Area for Metalcraft/Wheelchair Manufacturing  Workshop. A short program would follow with the welcome remarks to be rendered by Mr. Manuel Agcaoili, TWH President and CEO and inspirational messages from Hon. Mayor Mon Ilagan of Cainta Rizal, Mr. Emer Roxas, Sectoral Commissioner for PWD’s of NAPC and Usec. Alicia Bala, OIC of NCDA. Intermission numbers, raffle, and games  have also been prepared. Masters of ceremonies are Alfie Gillego, TWH Events Organizer, Maricel Candole, TWH PR/External Affairs Manager, Mcdel Natividad and Emy Macabenguil, TWH Marketing Associates.