Thanks to the support of our members and benevolent donors, here's just some of what we have accomplished together since the inception of Vintarinians of Alberta Association in April 2021:
A Bike for Princess!
(May 2021)
Princess Deshen Mae Guillermo is 9 yrs. old from Brgy. 7 Alejo Malasig, Sitio Gabor in Vintar, Ilocos Norte. She was born with multiple disabilities and she lives with her grandmother. Her parents were separated and both now have families of their own, Princess Deshen rarely receives help from either her parents. She is enrolled at the Florentino Camaquin Integrated School (FCIS) SPED Program and due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, she was having her training at home with printed modules and since her grandmother did not finish her primary school, she had a hard time helping Princess Deshen.
One of the FCIS teachers volunteered to help but requested that Princess Deshen be brought to her house every afternoon 3 times a week to help her with the schoolwork. This requires Princess Deshen and her grandmother to walk for about 3 kilometers one way since they could not afford tricycle fare and they hoped they would have a bike with a sidecar. Their request has reached the association and without delay, the Vintarinians of Alberta decided to grant their wish!
A new bicycle with sidecar was purchased and given to Princess Deshen and her grandmother, Liza, on May 14, 2021. This was handed by Diane Charlemagne Alcaraz-Balbin, member of the Vintarinians of Alberta Association who was currently in the Philippines and Mr. Eric Castro, SPED Coordinator at FCIS.
Good Night Sleep for Sweet Yesha
(June 2021)
Yesha Venice Corpuz is from Brgy. 9 Lubnac, Vintar, Ilocos Norte, who was born with celebral palsy. Physical barriers and simple lack of resources exclude her and other people with disabilities from abundant life. Her condition limits her movements and this confined her to a wheelchair which they got from the social welfare several years ago. The wheelchair was already broken, the upholstery was ripped and the foot rest was missing. Her family was wishing to have a new wheelchair.
When Jenny Pimentel, member of the Vintarinians of Alberta Association saw the post of a friend on social media saying “If only someone could give a new set of wheelchair for her.”, she immediately contacted her and personally donated a new wheelchair for Yesha. The wheelchair was procured and delivered to Yesha through coordination with Mrs. Pennygreen Acacio
Yumul and Mr. Eric Casto, SPED Coordinator at FCIS on April 15, 2021. This simple gift gave Yesha a bit of mobility and support. However, upon the team’s delivery it was noted that Yesha apparently does not only need a wheelchair but a lot more, due to her family’s obvious poor living conditions.
Jenny Pimentel then shared this to the Vintarinians of Alberta Association during one of the meetings with hopes that other members can help provide with Yesha’s other needs.
The association assessed the family’s living conditions and it was evident that Yesha needs more help especially when we learned that she was sleeping on the floor – and because we believe that it is a basic right of a child like Yesha to have a comfortable night’s sleep, we knew she needs a good bed!
The Vintarinians of Alberta bought and gave Yesha a comfortable wooden bed and mattress. She deserves a safe, comfortable bed to sleep on. She will no longer sleep on the floor!
We tend to feel happier when we can see the impact of our gift on the receiver, and seeing how happy Yesha was pure joy for the Vintarinians of Alberta!
Some members even threw a simple surprise party for Yesha for her 11th birthday where she was treated to some food, cakes and presents. This sweet little girl sure had her special moment!