In the Philippines, the path to education is fraught with challenges, and this struggle is only magnified for children with special needs. The nation's educational system, which is neoliberal in design and exclusionary to the underprivileged, already fails to adequately cater to the genuine educational needs of Filipino children. These challenges are even more prominent for special education centers as they are most vulnerable to neglect such as lack of budget allocation despite the already glaring shortage of such facilities. Special education centers also find difficulty in providing education for an overwhelming number of learners with disabilities, which leads to the placement of this burden on parents and faculty. On top of that, learners with disabilities are often faced with discrimination and indifference, which only highlights the need for better-supported education centers that cater to their needs while creating an environment for them to thrive in.
In a world where differences are often overlooked, there exists a ray of hope in the heart of Calamba, Laguna that embraces them. The Hope Intervention Center is the first special education center in CALABARZON for children diagnosed with autism and related developmental disabilities. For almost 16 years, The UPLB Genetics Society, an organization that aims to promote the science of Genetics in the context of social relevance, has continued to express support for Hope Intervention Center through the One Gene, One Child program. Initiated in 2007 by 24th Genesoc Outreach Head Dr. Mary Rachel Raventar, it is an outreach project dedicated to raising awareness about autism in the community through donation drives and hands-on activities. We envision a safe and happy space for students while fostering the appreciation of the hard work of the faculty, staff, and parents.
Conducted annually in December, the initiative consists of a donation drive, which include relief food items, learning kits, books and toys; and a half-day program filled with fun and creative activities for the children that aim to nurture the bond between the organization members and the children, and to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all.
From the eight students that it first welcomed during its establishment in 1998 as the Rotary Club of Calamba’s Centennial Project, the Hope Intervention Center has since then widened its doors to cater more students with special needs. Currently, they have 82 enrollees determined to defy challenges and pursue their dreams.
We believe it is integral to initiate support in the UPLB community and beyond toward institutions like Hope Intervention Center that provide rightful access to education for children diagnosed with autism and related developmental disabilities. We must also hold the administration accountable for the lack of budget allocation for such centers and ensure that Republic Act No. 11650 or the ‘Instituting a Policy of Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of Inclusive Education Act’ is being implemented strictly in all educational institutions.
This year, One Gene, One Child will continue to illuminate its ray of hope, as it has done so for 16 years. In the spirit of community service, let the ray of hope become a beacon, and let us unite to advocate for the inclusive education of all children, ensuring that no child is left behind due to their unique needs. Together, we can actively support the mission of Hope Intervention Center, One Gene, One Child, and similar initiatives to make quality education accessible to every child, regardless of their circumstances.
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