A special learning center in San Fernando, Pampanga built a cafe to help students with needs earn money and experience while working in the small business.
“Madami kaming napapaiyak na magulang. When they see their children doing new things, ‘yung parang hindi ako nagkamali na ipagpatuloy. Magastos, mahirap, pero tingnan mo, may mga ganito na na pwede nilang pasukan, magkakaroon din sila ng opportunity na ipakita yung kung ano ‘yung mga abilities din nila,” Mary Ann Biliwang, consultant of the center said.
“So hindi lang naman po kasi siya cafe. Mayroon din kami parang maliit na thrift shop nagpa-practice din sila on retailing,” she added.
According to her, their students went through training before they hired them in their coffee shop.
The cafe’s manager, Marinel Sophia Biliwang, explained how they make sure that their students are ready to get out of their class and work in the cafe.
“Mag-inquire po muna sila sa admin, then titingnan po muna kung ready to transition na po sila sa pag-serve, sa pagiging barista. Kung hindi pa po, kukuha po muna sila ng ilang session for therapy sa center bago po sila mag-work dito sa cafe. Since magkatabi lang naman po ‘yung cafe and center,” Marinel said.
Adding, “‘Pag nasanay na po sila sa mga tao, makisama, pwede na po silang mag-start na mag-work naman po dito sa cafe as server. ‘Yung isa po, si Joy, siya po usually gumagawa ng drinks or refreshers. And mahilig po sila sa mga routines na paulit-ulit. Kaya magaling po sila dun sa pag-clean up, sa paghugas pag-wipe po ng tables.”
When asked why she was motivated and eager to give special kids an equal opportunity, Mary Ann revealed that she was also part of the spectrum.
“I am autistic as well, but on a highly functional level. ‘Yung tinatawag po nilang on a genius type po. Kung nakaya ko, kung napagtagumpayan ko ‘yung ganun na mga struggles ko, kung bibigyan lang ng pagkakataon, mas marami kaming matutulungan,” she noted.
Mary Ann recognizes what parents went through to accept the condition of their child.
“Learning your child has a disability is like going through the process din ng grief, namatayan ka, losing someone sa buhay mo. Kasi ‘pag tinago sila sa bahay, ang mangyayari, later on ang kailangan natin maraming institutions na magki-keep sa mga batang to. Kasi eventually, kung hindi, walang namang magkukupkop sa isang batang nananakit. Walang magkukopkop sa batang hindi marunong pumunta sa toilet nang mag-isa, diba? Lahat ‘to kung tinuturo sa early stage tapos binigyan ng opportunity na mag-grow at makapagtrabaho,” she stressed.
“So ang iniisip namin lagi sabi ng magulang, ‘Paano kung mamatay ako? Paano ko siya iiwan?’ Sabi ko, ‘Bakit ganun ‘yung prayer natin, hindi ba pwedeng baguhin natin na sana kahit anong mangyari sa akin, kaya natin alam natin na mahihimlay tayo nang maayos dahil kaya nilang magbuhay para sa sarili nila.’ Kailangan natin mabigyan sila ng training na makita ng tao ‘yung ability. It is a very risky task,” she added.
The association hopes that they become an example to the public and other business owners to help people with special needs as they try to navigate their own lives.
“This is definitely one of the step. Kasi may mga kumukontak na rin sa akin na ibang schools and foundation na turuan n’yo kami paano ‘to or pwede bang dyan kami maglagay ng mga OJTs namin?” she said.
The association is also talking to several private institutions to hire them for a permanent job.
“Dapat mag-open din ‘yung ibang mga malls, employers na tumanggap dahil ‘pag nilabas po naman namin sila dito sa training center, eh matitiyak naman po namin ready for work na ‘yung mga bata. Sabi nga malayo na pero malayo pa,” she added.
