THE PHILIPPINE Accessible Disability Services (PADS), Inc. dragon boat team launched its Under 13 (U-13) program last November 4.
The program aims to help less fortunate kids below 13 years old who live in the coastal area in Lapu-Lapu City near PADS’ dragonboat team headquarters at the Marina Bayview docking.
The program offers free dragon boat training that will hopefully help the kids have a better future. It also aims to get these kids to school.
“We want these kids to be away from vices, noting the situation they are in,” PADS Executive Director JP Ecarma Maunes said.
Kids were selected through open invitation, assisted by their partners, Rotary Club of Mactan and Balik Aral Inc., who also sponsored the kids’ bags, shoes and school supplies, with the customized paddles to use in their dragon boat training.
“We are still looking for partners and sponsors to help in this effort,” Maunes added.
PADS also hopes to penetrate local Special Education (SPED) centers next year to help more PWDs get into sports.
“We want to introduce them to dragon boat and to hopefully improve their quality of life,” Maunes said.
PADS is an independent non-government organization, working to enable the PWD community to grow and develop as independent, integrated, fully human and empowered citizens in society.
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