Day 40: PACAP visits CAD

CAD officers and Members w/ the
Team CAD ICS Volunteers

It's the 40th day of my ICS Volunteering Journey. PACAP visited the Cebu Association of the Deaf (CAD) office to look into their partnership with the Gualandi Volunteer Service Program (GVSP).

GVSP is one of the shortlisted candidates for the PACAP grant for the year 2013  and if chosen, should implement it starting June this year.

The Partnership. GVSP has been partnering with CAD through the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention (CSAP) Program which aims to educate especially the young members of the Deaf community on what sexual abuse is and how can it be prevented. They work hand in hand in implementing  the project. Aside from that, Janice, who is a member of CAD is one of the relay interpreters in court for the survivors of sexual abuses who doesn't know sign language. 

Added Value Partnership. GVSP also aims to empower CAD and make them as a stronger organization who will also be the one to train other Deaf associations on CSAP. Aside from the empowerment of the Deaf leaders, the possible increase of membership it CAD through the weekly gatherings at the Mission for the Deaf compound will guarantee the next in line advocates of the program.

Update Meeting. Later, I updated the group about going tomorrow to the Boy Scouts of the Philippines (BSP)  to check on the venue. I called their office today to inform them about our visit and intention to use their facilities on May 1-3, 2013. We decided to meet at GVSP at 9:00 AM and then go together. I also needed to finalize the letters for the schools and for the camp manager of BSP which then I emailed to Michelle for printing.

At the GVSP lawn, team CAD updated each other
for the tasked assigned to each of them.

Michelle said today a very stunning line, "The Deaf may not hear, but it is the hearing who never listens to them.". And, I believe what she said is true. Hearing is different from listening. May we always not just choose to hear but more importantly - we listen.