MEMBEMEMBEMEMBEMEMBEMEMBE RS of the DLSU basketball varsity team and pep squad play a round of hoops with the children

The Lasallian community welcomed 650 children with special needs in For the Kids (FTK) 2010, a mini-olympics held last Jan. 17, at the DLSU Football Field.

FTK is an annual event organized by De La Salle University Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA), the socio-civic arm of the university.

This year the event carried the theme, “Makibahagi sa paglikha ng makulay na tahanang puno ng ligaya at pagmamahal.”

A thousand volunteers from the DLSU student body, faculty, staff, and alumni participated as game officials and chaperones. Preparations were led by the Lasallian Outreach Volunteer Effort (LOVE), a hundred-strong volunteer organization headed by student volunteers.

FTK coordinator Khristina Umali said that the program seeks to reach out to children who have physical, mental, or developmental disabilities and enhance their physical activity through sports, games, and a talent show. Back in 1986, FTK it began as a small project organized by the COSCA in partnership with the University’s Physical Education Department.

The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (DLS-CSB SDEAS), was also invited to the event.

ATE AND KUYA

One’s mind and heart should first be conditioned in order to be an “ate” (sister) or “kuya” (brother) to a child with special needs. While some students and teachers were hesitant in joining, most signed up showing interest and willingness to volunteer. A series of orientations was required to be a full-fledged volunteer for this event.

At first, some of the children showed reluctance to go with their assigned volunteers but after some affectionate talk and encouragement they slowly reached out and held the hand extended to them.

Sports events which aim to enrich the children’s fine and gross motor skills, challenge their competence, and develop their sportsmanship were set such as the basketball throw, standing long jump, softball throw, tennis ball throw, and short distance races. With the support given by their ate’s and kuya’s, the kids were able to finish all of the games and were given medals for their achievements.

One could not explain the joy and satisfaction of being an “ate” or a “kuya” to a child they barely know. More than the hard-earned certificates given to all the volunteers for a job well done and the medals the kids received because of their impressive feat; everyone took home with them a feeling of happiness from the profound connection of being with one another. Everybody knew that even for just one day – one Sunday, the kids, their ate’s, and kuya’s won each other’s hearts and that this experience will always be cherished and remembered.

(The writer is coordinator of the Social Responsibility and Outreach Program under the Center for Deaf Esteem and Formation of SDEAS.)