Daily Fel
Stepping Stone Foundation Philippines, a Center for Excellence in Special Education (SpEd), is the recipient of a special technology-related global grant from Rotary International made possible through the efforts of the Rotary Club of Manila Metro in partnership with the Rotary Club of Taoyuan Bai Ling of Taiwan.
Dubbed as “iLEAD: Innovative Learning Experiences Across Disabilities,” the endowment includes eighty units of Apple Ipads, apple pencil and keyboard installed with SpEd applications, plus an exclusive Learning Management System (LMS), and teacher training. The formal turnover ceremony with Rotary Club leaders and school officials was held recently at the Stepping Stone campus in Parañaque City.
According to Michelle “MC” Casio, Past President of Rotary Club of Manila Metro who pushed for the grant during her term in 2019-2020, the completion is a significant feat. “As a former educator, I’ve always had a special heart for children with learning disabilities…. we applied for the grant during my term, lodged it February of 2020 not knowing that Covid-19 would happen, and when it did it made it tougher to defend as the parameters were not designed for remote learning. I was relentless in seeing it through,” says Ms. Casio.
The project also holds a special place in the history of Rotary District 3810 to which Rotary Club of Manila Metro belongs. “We have executed multiple global grants around various areas of focus —from Water Sanitation Projects to Maternal and Child Health Projects, Disease Prevention Projects, Peace & conflict, Economic & Livelihood projects, Basic Education & Literacy. But a global grant such as this is unique and very timely in this technology era. To have access to education remotely with devices are an example of inclusion,” underscores Robert Koa, District Governor for Rotary Year 2021-2022.
Governor Liza V. Elorde, Past District Governor RY 2019-2020 stated, “This is indeed a big letter day for Rotary International and our district as initiated by my Champion President MC Casio during my term as Champion Governor of District 3810. I saw how painstakingly she lobbied for this as it became so difficult due to the pandemic and we thank the Rotary International Foundation Team for having approved this project as this is a very good project under the Basic Education & Literacy which is very dear to my heart.”
Bong Aguila, Transformational President of Rotary Club of Manila Metro for 2020-2021, adds, “We hope that through these devices, learning management system and trainings, Stepping Stone can strengthen the SpEd community and accommodate more children with disabilities especially those who cannot afford.”
Life-Changing President Andy Alcantara, President of Manila Metro for 2021-2022 adds, “This project will continue during my term and we will ensure completion of the trainings and digitization of the materials for remote learning. This is definitely a great welcome project to this new Life-Changing Rotary Year”.
The donation will definitely be a boost to the school’s SpEd program, the enrollees of which are students from indigent families. “It’s really a beneficent act from Rotary International,” affirms Academic Head Teacher Joy Honofre. “It is going to go a long way in training our teachers and preparing students while we are undergoing the challenges of digital learning.”
For his part, Stepping Stone Executive Director Dayal Nandwani is looking forward to how the school can collaborate with SpEd students’ parents in this endeavor. “This type of technology is a first in the country…. There are many assistive applications to help the students communicate with their parents and vice-versa.”
The National Council on Disability Affairs, through Executive Director Emerito L. Rojas—himself a Rotarian—has high hopes that the impact will be far reaching. In a videotaped messaged shown at the turnover, Director Rojas said, “(It) not only changes lives, but also promotes the empowerment of children with disabilities who are the future leaders of the disability sector, as well as of the country.”
Established in 1972, Stepping Stone Foundation Philippines began as an initiative of the Rotary Club of Makati to provide education for children of informal settler-families in Guadalupe, Makati. Eventually, the project became a foundation with other Rotary Clubs in Makati giving support. In 1986, it became a non-stock, non-profit foundation and in 2013, it became the premiere school for special education that also has a regular Kinder to Grade 6 program. For more information about Stepping Stone, visit steppingstone.ph and facebook.com/steppingstoneph.
