Umwad Panay

UMWAD Projects Newsletter Issue 2, July 2010

DPOs begin their long Journey to Autonomy

Photo by Cindy Blasurca

Members of Disabled Peoples Organization (DPO) brainstorm on the components of a project proposal The Road to Autonomy... To avid paperback readers, this refers to a title of a book written by Jean Beaton which talks about parenting and family. Published in 2003, the book aims to provide help and hope to families of children with disabilities, especially sensory impaired children. To DPOs of Batad, San Dionisio, Concepcion, Barbaza, and Laua-an, the road to autonomy denotes another meaning. To them, it means the road to independence and self-sufficiency, and the capacity to act as agents of change instead of just mere beneficiaries. This road begins here, and it begins now. In a move to realize their future autonomy, the DPOs of the mentioned municipalities began to develop their fundraising capacity by undergoing a training on proposal writing conducted by the Handicap International - UMWAD Project from May 25-28 (Iloilo) and June 1-4 (Antique). This is the initial step of a long process that will lead to a submission of project proposals developed by DPOs to prospective funders including their own local government units. While it is still a long road ahead, hopes are high that the DPOs will be able to pull it through. And who knows in the end, these same DPOs will be the author of a book with the same title - with the aim of providing help and hope to other DPOs who also wish to achieve autonomy. [J. Rom] Panay CBR Project is now the UMWAD Project! UMWAD, which means progress in Ilonggo, is now recognized as the name of the project after getting positive reviews in its first issue (April 2010). The UMWAD Project aims to support DPOs in Panay Island to be autonomous and become integral actors in local development. Its vision is that DPOs will play a vital role towards the progress of their respective communities.

UmWARD IN FOCUS
By: EDWARD T. ELLO New Arrival After a long search for the position of Community Organizer (CO) to complete the dynamic team, we warmly welcome Ms. Jayrose Jaja Plana. She is a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Political Science-Community Development from University of the Philippines in the Visayas - Miagao, Iloilo. She previously worked at TSKI (Taytay sa Kauswagan, Inc.) - a micro finance institution, as Community and Enterprise Development Assistant handling community development projects of the organization. She also pursued her Masters in Business Administration in Philippine Christian University Iloilo Extension to further enhance her learning. As an initial plan, she will be assigned to one of the three municipalities in Northern Iloilo (Batad, Concepcion and San Dionisio) currently handled by Mr. Raphy Imperial.

Activities in brief
Advocacy Training in Antique

DPO members of Laua-an explaining their advocacy plan To improve DPO advocacy skills, the UMWAD team conducted a training on advocacy for 11 DPO members and 5 CBR workers of Laua-an & Barbaza from April 21-23, 2010 at the session hall of Laua-an. The training focused on how to develop an advocacy plan and how to present it to different types of audience. This is the first of a series of trainings aimed at increasing the capacity of DPOs to co-implement their municipal CBR action plans. Antique DPO Officers and CBR Teams in Session By: Cindy Blasurca Just within the month of June, Handicap International conducted two training workshops in Antique. These are still part of the series of trainings that aim to capacitate the officers of Disabled Peoples Organizations to become active member of the community and CBR teams that spearhead the implementation of the Community-Based Rehabilitation Program in their respective municipality.

Newly hired CO Jayrose Plana UMWAD Team finds a new way to relax In my own personal capacity I offer arnis (art of stick fighting) / martial arts training every Saturday that promotes healthy lifestyle as it removes stress from a long week of work. This weekend training also refreshes my skill and makes up for missing my martial arts sessions when I was still in Manila.

DPO members of Barbaza & Laua-an ponder on their project proposal

Saori bids farewell to the team

After 2 years as JICA volunteer, occupational therapist (OT) Saori Sato finally said goodbye to the UMWAD team during her farewell party last June 6. Saori is a major part of the team starting with the Hilwai Project in 2008, where she unselfishly dedicated her time, energy, and expertise to persons with disabilities and CBR workers alike. Among her major contributions are the OT services and development of adaptive devices for children with disabilities, training & capacity building of CBR workers, and the development of a CBR handbook for CBR workers (still to be validated). Saori is now back in Japan and we wish her all the best in her future undertakings.

The participants from Barbaza and Laua-an learned basic knowledge and skills on project proposal development last June 14 from the training held at the University of Antique in the municipality of Tibiao. It was technical in nature but they expressed fulfillment having learned something new and useful. On June 24-25, they gathered again in Oak Brook Beach Resort located in the municipality of Hamtic to familiarize the art of events organizing. They did not only learn more but also enjoyed the other municipalitys camaraderie. They said they are looking forward to more learning-but-fun capacity building sessions.

DPO members of Laua-an & Barbaza pose at the end of the training

Advocacy Training in Iloilo

12 DPO members and 5 CBR workers from Batad, San Dionisio & Concepcion, together with 5 representatives from the Office of Person with Disability Affairs (OPDA) office in Iloilo City joined the advocacy training held from April 28-30, 2010 at Paon Beach Resort in Estancia, Iloilo. The training was hosted by the municipality of Batad and was graced by the presence of outgoing mayor Elvira Alarcon. The participants were taught on the basics of developing advocacy plans and presenting it to a specific target audience such as local government officials. These advocacy plans will then be highlighted during the National Disability Prevention & Rehabilitation (NDPR) week in July.

Saori (middle) is flanked by Sheila (L) & Cindy (R) during her farewell party

Upcoming activities (3rd Qtr):

July 13, 16, 20, 21, 23 - Municipal stakeholders forums in Batad, San Dionisio, Concepcion, Laua-an & Barbaza respectively July 17-23 - NDPR week celebration August 18-20 - Budget development workshop September 8-10 - Effective communication workshop September 30 - Provincial stakeholders forum (Antique)

Participants of the advocacy workshop were all smiles at the end of the training

Tribute to Tatay Jose

By: Cindy Blasurca Jose Bajada, 48 - a staunch PWD advocate, a strong leader, a friend we all miss You are one of the few who leads by example, who fights for what you deserve and who strongly believes that persons with disability should be given same opportunities and rights as other members of the society enjoy. You are a significant part of the Umwad Family that makes it whole. But, now you are gone. One long month had passed and we are missing you. Wherever you are, trust us that we will continue what you have started and we will do much better each time to advance the cause of persons with disability. We will always remember you

Proposal Writing Training in Iloilo

12 DPO members and 6 CBR workers from Batad, San Dionisio, and Concepcion were trained on the basics of proposal writing on May 25-28, 2010 at the Sealips Restaurant in San Dionisio. The training focused on developing the capacity of DPOs to write their own project proposals starting with understanding the basic elements of a proposal and the requirements to complete it. Participants were also given tips on how to present their proposal to prospective donors.

Missing You
By: Cindy Blasurca Youve been gone for not so long But for me it seems like eternity Though I know youre just anywhere Its sad cause I cant feel you near I long for your presence, Im going crazy They say I must move on with my life And that I can go wherever I want to This I know but Im really missing you

Tatay Jose Bajada in action during the proposal writing training

It was however sad that an unfortunate incident happened towards the end of the training. Jose Bajada, one of the leaders of DPO Batad, suffered a stroke and passed away the following day. He will be missed not only by the people of Batad but to everyone who knew him to be a strong disability rights advocate.

Events Organizing Workshop in Iloilo

In focus: SEALIPS Resto Manager

By: Raphy Imperial Mr. Eduardo Samonte, manager of Sealips in San Dionisio, mentioned that the restaurant started its operation last Jan 7, 2010 and Handicap International-UMWAD Project was the first organization who used their facility (project orientation). He admitted that he had difficulties in catering persons with disabilities (PWD) since his restaurant has no accessibility features. But he readily made adjustments by installing a ramp during the proposal writing training last May 25-28. We do hope that the ramps are permanently installed after the training and other establishments will follow his good example of providing accessibility features for PWD.

DPO members of Concepcion at the end of the workshop

DID YOU KNOW THAT . ?

Edward Ello is an expert in modern arnis and martial arts. He is a certified Arnis Guro from the National College of Physical Education of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, President of KAIKIJUTSU BLACK BELT ASSOCIATION from 1995 2003, and Chief Instructor (Martial Arts) of DFA Kaikijutsu Mega Gym.

9 DPO members and 11 CBR workers from Batad, San Dionisio, and Concepcion joined hands for a successful staging of the events organizing workshop Concepcion last June 17-18. The workshop was a venue to practice how to organize an event in preparation for the NDPR Week on July 17-23 where DPOs are expected to lead the weeklong activities.

STAFF TRAINING / DEVELOPMENT

Jasper Rom of Handicap International - Philippines was one of the participants chosen for the Training of Trainers for Communitybased Rehabilitation (CBR) through an inclusive development approach. The training was joined in by 17 participants from Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, East Timor, Vietnam and the Philippines and was conducted from June 7-18, 2010 at the Asia Pacific Center for Disability (APCD) in Bangkok, Thailand.

Edward (L) during an exhibition Raphy Imperial is an expert mountain bike rider and loves to compete in mountain biking competitions. He occasionally goes to work using his mountain bike as a form of regular exercise. Raphy is also an outreach mobile team leader, street educator, and team driver in his previous work at Doctors without Borders (MSF). Jasper Rom is an avid chess player on a comeback trail. He placed 5th in the Iloilo Paraw Regatta Rapid Chess Tournament in February this year, 7th in the Mayor Trenas Cup last March, and 2nd during the 6th DWP All-Panay Chess Tournament last May 22-23. He rose into the Philippine chess scene during the 2000 National Chess Grand Prix in Manila: http://

The training aimed at developing trainers and facilitators in CBR activities, promoting an inclusive development approach to CBR, and develop strategies based on local situations and needs. The main facilitators were Dr. Maya Thomas of India and Ghulam Nabi of Pakistan together with the training staff of APCD. More information can be found at www.apcdfoundation.org.

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Handicap International (HI) is an independent international aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups throughout the world, our action and testimony are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights. With a network of eight national associations (USA, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and UK), Handicap International, founded in 1982 and co-recipient of the Nobel Peace prize in 1997, has programs in 60 countries and acts in both emergency and development situations. Handicap International - Philippines 12th Floor, Valero Tower 122 Valero St., Salcedo Village Makati City, Philippines 1223 mla-ofc@handicapinternational.ph www.handicapinternational.ph UMWAD Project Office 56 Quezon St., Arevalo Iloilo City, Philippines 5000 Tel. (+63 33) 501-9690

Jasper (L) contemplating his next move