Two of my primary advocacies focus on women and children with special needs. I am delighted that my personal celebration of Women’s Month included two activities where I reunited with young women, and children with special needs on separate occasions. These experiences provided me with an opportunity to participate in initiatives aimed at empowering these marginalized sectors.
I’ll begin with a quick lunch break during which I observed and documented ‘kidtrepreneurs’ at a mall. Yes! Students with special needs became entrepreneurs for a day at a shopping mall in Bacolod City. Thanks to Happy Beginners School of Learning. Kiosks selling food, accessories, handicrafts, and other merchandise lined the north wing (second level) of Robinson’s Place Bacolod. It was a delightful sight to see the kids managing their stations and assisting their mothers while attending to customers.
Four-year-old Alescia Celestine Arguelles enjoyed assisting her mom Antonette Marie, serve customers soft ice cream and cookies. Raphaella Mariel Tejada’s coconut macaroons were among the bestsellers at the fair. Raphaella passed the time by drawing while waiting for customers to visit her stall and try the sweet treats they were selling.
Meanwhile, Elroy Rowan proudly mentioned that the valenciana and bihon they were selling were all tasty, which was why there were just a few containers left when I visited their food stall around lunchtime. “Ma’am, Sir, bakal na ‘mo!” said Elroy as he shared his strategy for inviting customers to try what they were selling.
Jerika Tamayo, the mother of Niall James who runs an eatery, expressed her joy at the opportunity for children with special needs to experience entrepreneurship. She proudly shared that her son is accustomed to assisting her in their carinderia, stating, “He helps me whenever I am packing food that we sell. He is used to helping me in our small business.” She expressed gratitude for their school, Happy Beginners School of Learning, for exposing their children to such activities, believing that it helps them gain experience and learn how to be entrepreneurial and productive early in life.
The mother and son sold puto cheese, donuts, pastillas, choco balls, and native delicacies in their food stall. Niall James would inspect their display and arrange the packed desserts they were selling to ensure they were appealing to customers.
Dr. Sharon Rose Medez, a registered psychologist and a Doctor in Psychology, highlighted the positive impact of such activities on children’s self-confidence.
“This kind of exposure and training make children feel accepted by others and make them realize that their condition is not a hindrance to being useful and productive,” explained Dr. Medez.
She further emphasized that these activities are strongly encouraged as they help create awareness among the general public that differently-abled kids are capable of doing chores, performing specific tasks, and using their gifts to earn income.
The Kidstrepreneur program was introduced by HBSL President Anne Marie Makilan before the pandemic. She, herself, is very entrepreneurial and has a son who also has special needs. Her daughter, Christianna Marilet, also had her stall, offering assorted products including packs of chocolate powder and turmeric tea, which are among the products made by students of the school for children with special needs.
JB Arroyo and Brent Nighel Anzano showcased their creativity by painting on eco bags made of canvas and bayong bags.
Feby Mae Oñate, the academic program coordinator, explained that the program teaches students the basics of life, such as how to interact with people and the importance of courtesy and honesty.
“This is a collaboration of kids and mommies as part of our celebration of Women’s Month. This is about how kids learn how to manage money. This is part of their community exposure so that they are introduced to the outside world,” she elaborated.
I remember the first time I covered and featured in my YouTube Channel Kidstrepreneur, student and parent participants used to sell inside the campus only with very limited space. It warms my heart to see how these children are improving in terms of their relationships with others, enhancing their social skills, and developing entrepreneurial skills as well. Way to go, kiddos!
CHOICES AND DECISIONS
On a different occasion, I had the opportunity to speak before more than 20 young women and girls who are being assisted by Virlanie FAITH, Inc. The forum was also attended by officials from the Population Office of Bacolod City. My role as the keynote speaker was to empower these young women, which I initially found daunting due to the complex profiles of the attendees, who were facing very challenging circumstances.
As I always do when I am to speak before an audience, I returned to my roots and drew from my early experiences to connect with these young women and deliver the important messages I had for them. My sharing focused on two crucial aspects of women’s lives: decisions and choices.
I explained to them that while it is human to make mistakes and bad decisions in life, it is also our choice whether to rise and persevere or remain down and play the victim. I emphasized the importance of learning from our mistakes and not repeating them, rather than ignoring our faults and continuing to err.
During the open forum, some of the girls became emotional as they shared the ongoing challenges they are facing. However, it was a relief to see them start to relax and become more comfortable with the intimate gathering. They began to laugh and giggle while listening to the stories and strategies for facing life and surviving trials shared by members of the panel, which included social workers and experts in the field. I must say, I felt more empowered than ever after sitting down and talking with them.
The following day, they underwent training on deboning chicken and fish, and I was delighted to learn that those who attended the forum actively participated. I was told that they were all motivated to seize every opportunity to learn new skills and further develop those they already possessed. During our sharing session, I emphasized that poverty and their current circumstances should not prevent them from aspiring to better lives and providing their children with a brighter future. I reminded them that it is also their choice whether to remain where they are or to distance themselves from anything or anyone that does not contribute to a better life and future.
Thank you, Virlanie FAITH, Inc., for the opportunity to connect with and impact these women. It is my prayer that they would be inspired and motivated to aspire for a better life, with the support of sectors and individuals who genuinely care for them. Empowering all women worldwide may seem like a daunting task, but we can begin by lifting each woman up instead of pushing her down.
Brava to all the wonderful women!*
