SPECIAL CHILDREN were treated to a week of games and music during the Ateneo Special Education Society (Speed) Week on September 8 to 14.
Ateneans and children with special needs bonded over a movie, a variety show and a family day during Speed Week, which aimed to promote Speed’s advocacy for special children, and provide them interaction with Ateneans, said Project Head Ma. Betina Carabuena (IV BS Psy).
The week started with a talk on special education given by a teacher from the Center of Children with Special Needs on September 8. On September 9, Speed screened “Identity,” a movie about Multiple Personality Disorder.
The speed dating event between the children and Speed members, slated for September 10, was scrapped because the kids were not able to attend. The variety show for the children on September 12, however, pushed through.
A “family day” involving the kids and Speed volunteers capped off the week on September 14.
Special attention
The talk touched on the condition of special education in the Philippines compared to programs abroad. The talk, however, was poorly-attended with only 14 participants, said Carabuena.
Despite the small audience, Dorothy Joy Ricalde (IV AB Psy) said the talk was successful because it promoted awareness for the needs of special children.
“The talk made me realize that our programs for special education aren’t well-developed, that’s why the teachers go abroad. There’s no money for them here,” Ricalde said in a mix of English and Filipino.
One family
Speed held its variety show in the Valle Verde 2 Clubhouse in Pasig City with kids from Cotelenggo Filipino, the org’s National Service Training Program tie-up area. Project Co-head Drazen Batalla (IV BS ES) said that the variety show attendance made up for the small audience for special education talk.
Speed invited bands Haze and Wenobo from the Ateneo Musicians Pool, the Company of Ateneo Dancers, and Blue Repertory to perform in the variety show. Carabuena said involving other well-known organizations will make Ateneans more aware of the needs of special children.
Ricalde said the variety show provided a venue for the kids to share their talents. “You’d be surprised to know they can dance,” she said in a mix of English and Filipino.
Jonathan Paculan (IV AB Psy) said, “[The event] brought to my attention the simplicity of the kids’ lives which we…forget to have.”
Paculan, who also attended the family day, said the event made persons learn more about themselves. “When you take away a person’s abilities, you see the person and you realize that is enough.”
