Quota International of Mandaue, The Philippines
Vocational Skills at the Special Education Center

Attention to every detail, whether encouraging a single child or repairing chipping paint, was the key to Quota International of Mandaue's Club-to-Club project's success in 2006. For the second year, the club successfully provided vocational skills training to hearing-impaired students and special needs children and adults at a local school that lacks the resources to fully support them. Mandaue Quotarians have gone above and beyond to provide not only the skills students need to become independent but also the celebration and community to develop self-worth and a sense of belonging.

The club funded a teacher's salary and supplies to teach children cooking, baking, and other vocational skills. However, its members didn't take a hands-off approach: they visited the classroom regularly to get to know students and recognize their achievements as well as ensure that the facilities were sufficient. This meant funding new wiring, lamps, window grilles, and a paint job in addition to spending time with the children. In November, members supported the school's Deaf Awareness Week and coordinated a Recognition Day for parents who completed their basic sign language literacy training course. A month later, they helped the students celebrate the holidays with gifts, prizes, and a party, and in February, they held a Valentine's party at the local sports complex. The club offered its students support beyond the school's walls, too: in March, when fire hit three barangays served by the school, Mandaue Quotarians donated and distributed much-needed food and water.

• To read about the Mandaue club's 2007-2009 Club-to-Club project, click here.

• If you wish to donate to this project, please click here.
  
  
• To learn more about the Philippines, click here.
  
  
• To return to the Club-to-Club World Service page,
  click here.