2010-2011 ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT
I. SALIENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
A. PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS
I. Educational programs
a. Scholarship Program for the Deaf in Calbayog City
This program aims to provide the educational needs and access to transportation from home to school, provide accommodation and basic necessities to those who urgently needs it and to initiate self-developmental activities that will enhance the skills and capacities of the Deaf.
In school year 2010-2011 22 Deaf scholars of different grades and year level were supported by the Philippine St. Francis of Assisi Deaf Center. 20 of them are enrolled in Christ the King College
b. Scholarship for the Deaf students in Tugegarao City
There were two Deaf scholars who were supported by means of tuition fees from the beginning of school year in June 2010 up to March 2011. The president of PSFADC himself goes to the area to conduct a home visit and at the same time consults to the teacher regularly regarding the performance of the two scholars. They were able to finish the entire school year successfully.
c. Literacy Class (Calbayog)
In this school year, the new students of Literacy class are 5 years old deaf children who were discovered during the hearing test activity. The purpose of this is to give the deaf children early education and introducing to them natural signs as their main tool of communication which is very effective at their age. The class is being handled by a Deaf teacher Ms. Angela A. Patagoc who uses visual gestural communication as medium of teaching. A transportation subsidy and educational materials are also provided for two children and their parent as well accompanies them from home to school every day. Within two quarters, there are many developments seen about the two children. They can communicate naturally with their mothers who used to be with them every day and can follow simple command of their teacher. Both of them are fast learners and they grow mature from acting like a baby who used to cling to their mother at all times in to a mature child who acts independently at their age.
d. Literacy Class in Sta. Teresita, Cagayan
This special mission in Sta. Teresita aims to serve those Deaf children and adults who are out-of-school and those who does not have any knowledge about sign language. This group of Deaf people was handled by one Deaf retired person who committed himself to serve the Deaf in terms of educational improvement. The Paris priest in the area actively supported this endeavor and provided a space for the Deaf for their
learning. Catechism and basic Filipino Sign Language is being taught as well as basic subjects like English and Mathematics. The number of participants are increasing and decreasing from time to time but the teacher patiently gives his effort in order to sustain their improvement.
e. English Study and On the Job Training for the Deaf College and High School Graduate Students in Manila
This opportunity to learn better English writing and communication skills was granted to Ms. Josephine dela Peña and Angela Patagoc while the On the Job Training to Ms. Kathereen who enrolled basic baking course. They were sent to Christian Language Study Center. Their English class was only scheduled for two to three hours a day. This aimed to enhance their communication skills in English and practice this in public setting.
II. Filipino Sign Language Class Programs
a. Filipino Sign Language Class for Parents in Calbayog City
This sign language class was started on January 11, 2010 up to March 26, 2011. The sign language class for parents is conducted every Saturday from 1:00- 4:00pm. This program aimed to teach parents and other members of the family on how to communicate with their deaf children using sign language. When this class started, there were more than 10 parents who joined but in the middle of the year, only 4 of them were able to finish it. According to them it was a very helpful step in order to build up closer relationship between the Deaf child and his/her parents. They learned a lot of signs and they can also communicate with other Deaf students in school. They were able also to assist their child’s academic improvement through helping them understanding their lessons and giving them tutorial session at home. Other parents who did not able to finish all Filipino Sign language sessions made sure to memorize the alphabet sign in order to communicate with their children through finger spelling. Parents who were able to finish the class recommended continuing this program in the next school year so that other parents will be more encouraged to join. A transportation subsidy was provided to all parents who attended the FSL class.
The Deaf teacher started to teach them alphabet sign as a preliminary step in learning sign language.
b. Filipino Sign Language Interpreter’s Training
The Filipino Sign Language study sought to provide basic training on Mass interpreting and Level 1 of FSL for committed individuals who would like to spend precious time in the service of the Deaf people. The selection of participants is based on the recommendation of the parishes and some individuals who are actively participating in PSFADC mission. The training started on April 17, 2010 and ended on May 24, 2010. The first part of the training which lasted for two weeks was focused on Mass interpreting and the second part was on Level 1 of Filipino Sign language. The training was rigid and all participants were required to refrain from using verbal language in order to respect the culture of the Deaf. Adopting the culture of silence is the best way to understand Deaf language.
The two parts of the training were facilitated by Fr. Hozo Sato, OFM, Josephine dela Peña and Mary Jane Puson, a Deaf volunteer from the Philippine Federation of the Deaf. The first part of the training was handled by Fr. Sato and Josephine on April 17 to April 30 while the level 1 FSL licensee course was handled by Ms. Puson on May 2- 24, 2010.
The training was conducted in Philippine St. Francis of Assisi Deaf Center , Carayman, Calbayog City , Western Samar . The center provided free food and accommodation during the entire training. The newly renovated visual room was used as the main session hall of the participants.
The instructor of the Level 1 Filipino Sign Language course completed the 90 hours session. The participants completed the 90 hours session and made sure to pass the examination before they were able to secure the certificate. The participants religiously followed the time set by the instructor whenever they have a session because time matters a lot in learning Filipino Sign Language. The lessons were composed of Basic FSL words and grammar, dialogue with the Deaf teacher and classmates in FSL, Basic Visual Gestural communication and Deaf buddy activity wherein they were given a chance to be with a deaf person and practice their sign in a dialogue.
The Instruction on Mass Interpreting did not require number of hours to be completed. This training focused on signing parts of the mass from the liturgy of the word to the liturgy of the Eucharist. The instructor, Fr. Hozo Sato, OFM challenged each participant to explore their ideas on how to understand each word and express it in sign language. It involves not merely signing the word but reflecting upon the message of the word to be conveyed. They were given readings and each of them was instructed to write a simple translation of those readings to express it in sign language in a simple but understandable way.
In the beginning of the training, the participants were having hard time in understanding the nature of Filipino Sign Language especially for the beginners. Three of the participants from Tacloban and Calbayog have simple background on Sign Language but the other three from General Santos City
Their coping capacity varies on their level of adjustment. Some of them learned fast at the start of the training but some didn’t able to adjust easily especially in communicating with the Deaf. All of them passed the Level 1 of FSL course but not all of them were able to pass the evaluation of Mass interpreting.
These training was successful because all participants are cooperative and PSFADC staff shared tasks in order to facilitate the training smoothly. The spirit of friendship, brotherhood and sisterhood was enriched during the training. It was really a good and fulfilling experience because each of them went home happy bringing the joy of having a chance to learn sign language.
I. Other Significant Information
a. Hearing Test for the Deaf and people with hearing difficulty in Calbayog City
This test was conducted on March 2, 2010. It was attended by 81 deaf people and persons with ear defects. An Educational and Clinical Audiologist volunteered their service for these people. There were some deaf adults who never experienced a hearing test since they are still babies because of their poor economic condition and parents’ lack of awareness. It was a free hearing test and parents of the deaf are very thankful because it was also an eye opener on their part because they learned how to give an extra care to their children especially to those who have defective eardrums.
This Deaf child is one of our scholars, her ears were checked but the Audiologist did not able to measure her level of Deafness because of her deformed ears.
This Deaf child became one of our pupils in Literacy class.
This is one of our scholars in High school.
This is one of the Deaf students in SPED Center.
b. Awarding of Certificate of Registration and License to PSFADC
On June 22, 2010, PSFADC hosted the second quarter meeting of ABSNET I in Calbayog City and on this remarkable day also, a certificate of registration and license to operate was awarded to the Philippine St. Francis of Assisi Deaf Center
It was a meeting facilitated by the Department of Social Welfare and Development Office Standards Unit Head with all the Non-Government Organizations in Region VIII. Participants were composed of different agency heads from provinces of Western, Northern and Eastern Samar as well as province of Leyte. PSFADC housed almost 30 persons for overnight stay.
The awarding of this certificate was assisted by the ABSNET 1 Chairman Oscar Garol. He is the Director of SOS Village, Tacloban City.
c. Deaf Awareness Week Celebration
Every year, the Department of Education is giving mandate to all private and public schools to celebrate a Deaf Awareness Week. This year’s theme is “BE A PART, NOT APART”. The Calbayog City SPED
Center, Christ the King College and the Philippine St. Francis of Assisi Deaf Center
The celebration started on November 7, 2010 through a Eucharistic Celebration in Cathedral. On November 8, the Deaf pupils and students joined the Flag Ceremony of Calbayog City employees in the city hall. The Deaf pupils from Calbayog City SPED Center rendered an interpretative dance during the doxology and the deaf students of Christ the King College
On November 10, 2010 an open house exhibit was presented in the Deaf building of Christ the King College
On November 11, 2010 there was a symposium on Health Education for the parents who have deaf children. This topic was suggested because of the findings during the Hearing Test on February 2010 conducted by PSFADC that most of the parents are not aware on how to take care of the health and hygiene of their children. The CKC school nurse was the main speaker of the said symposium.
On November 12, all Deaf students spent their time in order to practice their presentation for the variety show. Parents of the Deaf were very supportive because they have provided their children different costumes and they are always present during the practice.
November 13, 2010 was the highlight of the celebration because Deaf pupils and students showed their skills and talents through a variety show which they performed in the park. There were interpretative dance, folk dances, modern dance, pop dance, ballroom dance and special numbers
PSFADC Deaf Scholars Calbayog City SPED Center Deaf pupils
d. 6th Southeast Asian Conference for Pastoral Workers for the Deaf
On October 15 to October 20, 2010 two Deaf Board members Josephine dela Peña and Angela Patagoc together with the president Fr. Hozo Sato, OFM went to Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia to attend this conference with a theme “The Vision of the Deaf Church in Southeast Asia” It was a very fulfilling experience for them and a great opportunity to interact with the Deaf people coming from different countries of Southeast Asia. This conference aimed to review the vision and mission of the Deaf church in South East Asia, spiritual perspectives of pastoral care for the Deaf and to promote Deaf vocations and enhance Deaf leadership. According to the three participants they have learned a lot from this experience and were very happy to be given a chance to learn the beauty of Malaysian culture.
e. November 14, 2010 (Deaf Counseling Seminar)
The social worker attended a seminar on Deaf counseling which was facilitated by one of the Deaf group in Manila
f. Parents and Scholars Christmas Party
On December 12, 2010 all PSFADC Deaf scholars gathered to celebrate Christmas party with their parents. It is already part of the tradition to gather them every December to have a chance to interact with each other. As a contribution from the part of the center, each scholar was given 100.00 to buy their gift and later they exchanged gift with each other. They were also given some stuff like clothes, notebook and pencils. The parents brought foods and they shared it with each other.
g. Filipino Sign Language Study for Interpreters and Deaf Instructor
On the month of January to March 2011, PSFADC Manila assisted the studies of two hearing persons and one Deaf instructor on their Filipino Sign Language Course at College of St. Benilde de la Salle University. Mario Cagomoc who came from Calbayog City took up level III, Angelica
Magyapanao from Manila took up level I and Kathereen Honrales who is a Deaf took up level III.
At the end of school year in March 2011, all Deaf scholars were able to finish their studies and the two Deaf children in Literacy class were able to sustain the one year period in going to the center every day. The Literacy class culmination ended with a short program attended by the parents of the Deaf on March 21, 2011. During the closing program, Ms. Angela Patagoc, the Literacy Class teacher, recited to parents the level of improvement that their children has attained as well as thanksgiving to their efforts in assisting them all throughout the year. The scholars in Christ the King College as well were able to pass all their subjects. The parents were also glad for another year of accomplishment of their children.
h. Renovation of the 3rd floor area of the Deaf Center in Calbayog City
The third floor renovation was made realized through the assistance of one organization from Japan whose members are generous enough to share a big amount in order to provide the Deaf a multi-purpose facility where they can hold seminars, conferences and other related activities concerning Deaf. It was used as a venue by the Region 8 Area Based Standard Network 1 on June 2010 during their 2nd quarter meeting, Christmas party of scholars and parents, Filipino Sign Language Interpreter’s Training and other related activities.
A. DIFFICULTIES/PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
One of the problems encountered in implementing FSL class for parents is their level of participation because when this project started several parents religiously attends the class but later on only few came to attend regularly. One of the major reasons is economic condition because according to some parents, they could not leave their home even for a short period of time because they have to feed their children every day. Some of them also said that it’s hard for them to transport. But one of the major problems seen on this matter is the lack of interest and patience to learn sign language and poor comprehension in English words which made them hard to learn and communicate with their Deaf children. Most of the parents in Calbayog had no enough knowledge in vocabulary and this sometimes leads them also to insecurity with other parents who had finished college or high school.
One also of the problems encountered by the center was the completion of the requirements for Department of Social Welfare and
Development accreditation. PSFADC has submitted already the requirements on November but the manual of operation needs a major revision and additional updates based on the amended memorandum order for community based operation. The Social Worker revised the manual of operation and attended series of orientation in order to comply with the requirements before accreditation. The DSWD Standards Unit Head is also helping PSFADC from time to time in giving technical assistance.
C. ONGOING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The Philippine St. Francis of Assisi Deaf Center at present is continuously supporting Deaf clients through providing them free tuition fees, transportation subsidies, educational materials and other related needs.
The Literacy class in Calbayog and Sta. Teresita is still under the care and supervision of two Deaf teachers who committed themselves for the educational improvement of the Deaf children.
The president of the organization is also enriching the spiritual life of the Deaf through presiding mass in sign language and catechizing them through his homily in the Diocese of Cubao.
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