Sr. Marina, can you tell us how the program for children with special needs was born in the Philippines?
As Franciscan Sisters of the Poor, we have been present in the Philippines for 15 years. In September 2022, I also landed in the city of Dumaguete and a few months after my arrival I had a very special experience. While I was in one of the villages where we offer support to needy families, my gaze was drawn to a little girl with Down syndrome who was joyfully dancing. I immediately spoke with her mother to know more about their situation and I learned that the family of little Princess Joy had decided not to send her to school because she still did not speak well. A fire was ignited in my heart and mind: to better know the reality of children with special needs in this country and to find a way to support their growth. After some months of research, I discovered that the lack of schooling is quite common in the city because families often cannot afford the necessary expenses for school.
I asked myself what our charism could offer in the face of this need and thus was born the inspiration to create a scholarship program dedicated specifically to the support of children with special needs, so that from being marginalized and often invisible they could become visible, recognized in their dignity, and helped to develop their abilities.
Therefore, we sought some children in our neighborhood with whom we could begin this program. Later we realized that there were actually many children hidden away at home, so we expanded the program to different areas of the city.
What difficulties do these children have?
Today the program looks after eight children, ages 6 to 14, with different issues ranging from the autism spectrum to cognitive delays, to motor difficulties, to blindness… The challenge is to listen to each one and to offer diversified treatment according to their needs and family situation, because it is important to take care not of only the needs of the children but also of the entire family nucleus with attention and sensitivity.
What does the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor’s program offer to these children?
Overall, the program provides for economic support to the families for the children’s educational and transportation expenses and for a nutrition program for the children.
After launching the program. I realized that their weekly hours in school were not many. With the desire to offer them better advancement and to accompany families in believing in their children’s potential, the idea was born to offer one lesson a week at our house with a designated teacher. This possibility has borne important fruits: all the children have grown in their writing skills, in their recognition of colors, in verbalizing their emotions, and in socialization.
Another important aspect of the program concerns their mothers. We offer them a space to share their difficulties and hopes, so that they do not feel alone and recognize together the blessing and the gift that these children are. We encourage them to accompany their children in their learning, beginning with their homework, and to offer them better opportunities for growth, so that the children may be the protagonists of their evolution and not stay on the margins of the family and of the community itself.
Could you tell us about some actual experiences in which you have felt that Mother Frances’s charism was at work with these children and with their families?
The experience of one child has stayed in my heart. He was among the first to approach our program, accompanied by his mother, who was following him in his activities. Unfortunately, when the school year began, his mother left, abandoning the child to the care of his father and sister. I often ended up visiting them at home and supporting them in continuing school and participating in the lessons at our house. It was a little miracle from Mother Frances: through listening, encounter, and encouragement, this boy is still part of the program today and his family continues, despite the sacrifices, to support his growth.
Another experience concerns the commitment to facilitate the integration of these children into the local community. For instance, during last year’s Christmas party with all the children we support in their studies, we organized a dance together with the other children as a sign of mutual welcome and of the joy of being together.
Sr. Marina, after around 15 months since the birth of the program, what improvements do you see for the children, families, community? What is the outlook for the future?
We feel that these children with their talents and their special characteristics are a blessing for our society. It is wonderful that the families consider our community like their home, a place where they can move freely, find peace and hope again, and where they do not feel alone.
We also wish to continue our commitment to advocacy to develop these children’s sense of belonging and integration in the local community. We want to explore and to offer opportunities for the future to these least brothers and sisters who remind us how each person’s life is worthy of respect and love in its uniqueness and contrast. We are grateful for the gift of their existence because in them we see the image of the beauty of God.
