Day 6: Deaf Inclusion and Social Justice

It's our first session together with the British Volunteers. Yesterday, we had charades and prepared a dance presentation for the welcome dinner. Today,begins the In Country Orientation which is one of the important trainings to undergo before the start of the program ( VSO-ICS).

Deaf Inclusion: In the Philippines VSO is focused on four major themes which include Environmental Sustainability , Peace and Development, Social Inclusion and Disaster Risk Reduction. My volunteer placement in Cebu is very unique since the current program works for the deaf with specific details that include dealing cases of deaf children sexual abuses.

Learning a new Language: I really love the rural environment because it's quite and the breeze of air is very comforting to a man's soul. But because part of the program is to learn Filipino Sign Language ( FSL),  I expressed more interest for the volunteer placement in Cebu. FSL's alphabet was adopted from the American Sign Language ( ASL).

Our Impact Stations: We were introduced about Cebu Association for the Deaf ( CAD) and Gualandi Volunteer Service Programme (GVSP) which were the partner organizations of VSO. GVSP was founded in 2005 by 10 volunteers because they felt the need for a hearing organization to support the deaf members of the society. CAD is an all deaf organization which closely works with GVSP in implementing different projects.

The project placements included:
1. Cebu Association for the Deaf  on Deaf Education and Human Rights Advocacy
2. Gualandi Volunteer Service Program on Break the Silence ( BTS) which deals on Deaf Child Sexual Abuse and Prevention

• Education and Advocacy
• Communications and Media
• BTS Fun Run aimed for deaf advocacy, awareness and fundraising activity

3.Enhancing Skills , Access , Opportunities

• Deaf Mapping and Profiling through partnership with Share a Child Foundation ( an NGO in Cebu)
• Voter's Education and Volunteer Mobilization

4. Fully Abled Nation ( FAN) which aims to increase the participation of PWDs for the 2013 Elections.

There are a lot of inequalities around the world. There will always be. But what we must make sure is that whatever happens - LET JUSTICE be served