Today, there are more than 35 million children under the age of 15 living in the Philippines. 12% of these children have special needs. Of the 12% of children with mental or physical disabilities, 97% do not receive appropriate educational services.
PLS has been supporting the Gerona North Central Elementary School SPED (special education) Center since 2007. The project aims to teach young disabled children with mental or physical disabilities, techniques of communication and interaction with their environment, allowing better relations with their families and integration in society. Special attention is given to improve the motor skills of students to enable them to better face the challenges of daily life. The parents are involved in the program to ensure a greater chance of success and also to teach them to better manage their child’s disability.
PLS donated funds to renovate the classroom of the SPED program class and to equip the classroom with better ventilation, an air conditioning unit and a bathroom, as well as proper school materials. Our involvement also covers the costs incurred by the program, such as acquisitions of equipment, snacks, transportation costs and other logistics expenses.
At the end of 2018, a further donation went towards the school’s new Model House. A part of the learning centre was converted into a model house with a living room, bedroom, dining room, kitchen and bathroom. The aim of this project is to equip these children with the skills and familiarize them with the ambience of their home, resulting in their empowerment and independence. The model house was inaugurated on 21st February 2019.
At the end of 2022, PLS donated funds to renovate the school pathway leading up to the SPED classroom. This pathway was partially ruined and frequently flooded during the rainy season.
The new pathway was inaugurated on 9th March 2023.
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