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October 25, 2006
ADP-I Marks 16th Year Foundation
Dear JICA friends,
We have just celebrated the 16th Year Foundation of the Association of Disabled Persons – Iloilo (ADP-I). Our sentimental journey began in September 1990 when four (4) fellow persons with disabilities took the first giant step forward with fervent hope of bringing forth a meaningful change in our society and in the lives of every person with disability.
For 16 long years, ADP-I went through the inevitable ups and downs of an organization. Willingly facing rejection hoping to find acceptance in the end, determined to make a great difference in the lives of people with handicap, who, for a long period of time, were confined in the four walls of home, living isolated lives, painfully struggling for self-acceptance.
Our efforts are never in vain for deliberately we are winning the support of the government. The growing trust and confidence of the people around us encouraged us even more to go beyond our physical limitations and enhance our skills and productivity. ADP-I has become a venue for unity, involvement and participation of persons with disabilities in the community, taking active role as partner in the development process. It has positively changed the negative image of persons with disabilities as parasites of society and mere recipients of dole-outs.
Gradually, we have established a close networking and collaboration with non-government organizations and national government agencies. Our programs and projects include advocacy, trainings, rehabilitation, scholarship program for deserving members, provision of mobility devices and livelihood projects that provide employment opportunities to members.
After 16 years of faithful dedication and unwavering commitment to champion the cause of the disabled sector, ADP-I has grown stronger and better. We have learned to use our setbacks and limitations to move us ahead, making the most of our “too little and too unlikely” for the betterment of persons with disabilities.
It is still a long, long way to go and there will be more challenges ahead of us, but we are positive that ours is a winning battle not a losing one for we are overcoming our disabilities and maximizing our abilities for the common good of persons with disabilities and the society where we live.
donnabelle - Philippines
Leaders Course 2005
Posted by jicafriends at October 25, 2006 03:30 PM