By Dennis Eagle

Dennis Eagle

Our purpose in Davao City is twofold, first: we are here to train, encourage, equip and recruit for the Philippine Operation. Second: to establish a marketing plan and or support for charitable organizations in the Orient. There are three south-east Asia organizations  being  considered which will be discussed in this and future blogs.

Our boots hit the ground 1 ½ days before we were to start the workshop so we took in the Differently Abled School the day we arrived. A “Differently Abled” person is one who is discovering talents and developing skills outside what most call normal. Ironically, the level of skills these students achieve reflects a disability hidden in most of us who do not see ourselves as having disabilities. Could it be true that for every strength or ability God gives us to enjoy there is a hidden and corresponding disability in each of us? For example, how many successful veteran public speakers have a “listening to others” disability? How many highly motivated individuals are unable to sit and be calm in order to renew their minds? I might even say, “I resemble those remarks”!

It was with this mindset that Sam and I entered the School for Differently Abled. Darlito Palermo, the school administrator, greeted us from his wheelchair. Darlito contracted Polio as a child and has, through hard work, developed skills that took him to the Southeast Asian Para Games and where he received a bronze medal for table tennis. He earned the respect to work shoulder to shoulder with those of us who are disabled in other areas. Now, he is fighting for the right to access education and employment in the public arena for his students and others with disabilities in the Philippines.

Darlito has the commitment and energy to assist others who are in need of new skills. He proudly introduced his students to Sam and me one by one. We were able to meet a room full of excited and happy “Differently Abled” youths eager to learn and work. Some had hearing impairments, some in wheel chairs and at least two were blind. Included in this group are students who were unable to finish High School for various reasons.

School for The Differently Abled - Davao City , Philippines

We listened carefully as Darlito explained how they were fighting together for their rights to equal access in pursuing their dreams like everyone else. They are not asking for a free lunch or any social benefits at taxpayer expense, but the same access to education, to join the workforce and for the same tools as others to provide a living for  themselves and their families. The most amazing thing is that they are willing to work hard for what they get. We were impressed to say the least.

Durian Fruit

The students and staff provided a meal for us which included some favorite Native Filipino foods. It was wonderful and we tried everything. Admittedly, some things were not so tasty to us. One fruit we found difficult to get past our nose is Durian. This fruit had a most offensive smell and try as we might, we couldn’t eat very much of it. Sam can eat almost anything anyone else can, but this is one he couldn’t handle either. We had to stick to bottled water because our systems were not prepared to fight off the amoeba problem in many water systems there.

I was asked to speak and give an inspirational message to the students. Darlito interrupted into Tagalog, the national language, as I spoke and while Jacque, his administrative assistant, translated into sign language for the deaf. I spoke on “You already possess everything you need to do everything you should”, using the Old Testament story of the widow who filled the pots with oil for a text. To be honest, I believe I was the one inspired by them and Sam said he was moved to tears as he heard their testimonies. It was a day we will not soon forget.

The high point of the day came when Maricel, a young woman who had been blinded in an automobile accident entered the room. But this is a story for our next blog.