An Adventurous Journey to Daet

A Report by Ana Kristina Arce

Last May 18-20, 2011, ten award participants and three award leaders from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (DLS-CSB SDEAS) went through their Adventurous Journey to Daet, Camarines Norte.

Led by Ana Arce,together with  Elena Lozada, Yamie Fiestada, Daisy Reyes, Costa Quindipan, Emmary Batain, Almira Tuazon, Kim Malveda, Jonathan San Juan, Mary Grace Arcilla (9 bronze participants and 1 silver participant) and  with 3 award leaders Bea Francisco, Agnes Canayon and Ariscel Lobo traveled for 8 hours to Daet.

             

The team was divided into two groups: one assigned to sessions for the Deaf, the other for the Hearing. They conducted Art, Filipino Sign Language and Acting workshops for 22 Deaf students from Abano Elementary School (17 secondary students, 4 primary students and 1 hearing student with autism).  Abano Elementary School, a laboratory school, has Deaf classes.

The other team conducted Deaf Awareness Orientation, Filipino Sign Language (FSL) workshop and How to Raise and Educate Deaf Children seminar for 22 hearing participants at the Livelihood Center for the Deaf. It was attended by policemen, a businessman, housekeepers and mostly parents. Ana and other team members rolled their sleeves to encourage them to open their minds and see positive opportunities for Deaf students/children.

The group inspired the Hearing to become aware of Deaf people's needs and to believe that Deaf children could be educated even if they can't hear and speak. The parents where a bit overwhelmed. The group also shared that Deaf victims need the police’s help and the police would be able to understand and communicate more clearly with the Deaf through sign language. The group was glad to note changing perceptions of the Hearing towards the Deaf.

Ms. Leizel Visaya and Sr. Lydia Gumba of the Franciscan Sisters of the Incarnate Word Deaf Ministry (FSIW) were our host, together with the help of Mr Rex Bernardo, a multi-awarded person with disability and his wife Marissa. Ms. Emmary is the most generous we have ever met as she shared her contribution to Deaf people. Ana Arce and Ariscel Lobo were asked by Rex to talk about challenging stories over the Daet radio station. Rex shared how he advocates for PWD with his whole heart not only Daet but also the Philippines. 

The group reflected on and learned a lot from the journey. After the last day, we brought back our experiences to Deaf people in Manila to share how people in Daet live a simple life and yet so hospitable.

The Adventurous Journey is part of the 4-section requirement to complete the The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award for Young People. The Award is a non-competitive, exciting self-development programme for all young people worldwide. It equips them with life skills, builds their confidence and engages them with their communities. The participants who completes their 4-section requirement will be received their badges and certificate this October. www.intaward.org