Nine (9) Persons with Disabilities (PWDS) graduated at DSWD-AVRC today after completing the 6-9 months vocational courses.

DSWD IX Regional Director Atty. Araceli F. Solamillo, represented by Asst. Regional Director for Operations Consejo Usman, confirmed the 9 graduates for 2016 led by the outstanding graduate Nathaniel Victor C. Valdez, who finished a course in massage therapy.

Valdez, being visually impaired shared how he was able to overcome the feeling of inferiority whenever he’s with other physically abled people.

“Kung noon nahihiya kami kasi binubully kami, pagdating sa AVRC madami kami natutunan. Nirerespeto na kami, tapos tinuturuan kami pano makisama sa ibang tao. Madami talaga nagbago na nakatulong para maniwala ako sa kakayahan ko” Valdez said in an interview.

Meanwhile, RD Solamillo, in her message, acknowledged the unique advantages of PWDs and their determination in defeating their insecurities and fear and embracing of what the world can offer amid their condition.

“I believe that PWDs have those unique advantages; and if used properly, these will be the key to your success and the foundation for lasting progress. So I count on your sense of duty as specially-abled citizens in harnessing these gifts to unleash your great potential.” her message read.

The graduates who are orthopedically handicapped, persons with visual impairment and hearing impaired were trained on massage therapy, food service and canteen management, commercial cooking, tailoring, and Basic Computer. Aside from these, psychosocial interventions were also done to socially- prepare them for their mainstreaming and reintegration in the society.

Moreover, the center was able to rehabilitate and job placed 75 PWDs last year.###