CITY OF BALANGA, Bataan – “Our goal is to create community awareness about the needs and understanding of children with special needs,” said Organization of Concerned Citizens for Special Children Inc., Founder Amelia Pruna in explaining their organization’s program, “Share-a-gift” after the flag raising ceremony held at the Bataan People’s Center.
Organization of Concerned Citizens for Special Children Inc., is a non-government office which promotes awareness for the children with disability through the help of each school in the Province. It started last 2008 where parents from different municipalities gathered for a lecture seminar conducted by different specialists from Manila regarding their children. According to Ms. Pruna they are now coordinated with different schools for they are the ones who have direct contact with the parents.
“They are also like any other children but they just need more understanding and care than the rest,” she added.
Every year, along with the seminars provided for the parents, they also have a “Share-a-gift” program for the children with special needs together with their parents. It also serves as the parent and child bonding especially with the games and special numbers performed. Participants are from the 10 municipalities and 1 city coordinated by the schools who have special education classes. They also encourage private individuals to invite children with disability outside schools provided that they will have their name listed prior to the event.
To date, they have an on-going call for donations such as toys, grooming kits, and school supplies to be distributed on December 8, 2018 to 300 children with special needs for the “Share-a-gift” program.
