Meeting with the angels of the Cottolengo: A Community Development Story
7:00 PM |
| Photo taken by Talavera (4SLP and SLP Society EVP-ECs) |
Founded on the Thomasian principles of community
service and compassion for the poor, the fourth year students together with
professors and alumni, headed to Montalban Rizal last September 16 and 23 for
the first community development activity of the year, “Cottolengo Filipino: A
Journey Exploration.” The two-day activity consisted of speech and language
assessment and the provision of a home program to the members of the partner
community.
Community development activities are
headed by the SLP Society’s external vice president Phyllicia Gail Mercado and
approved by the UST Simbahayan and the Office of Student Affairs. The
Speech-Language Pathology Department continues to provide services for free to
the chosen communities of the college.
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| Photos taken by Sy, Gallego, Felix, Lai (4SLP) and SLP Soc EVP-ECs |
Mercado said that she chose the Cottolengo
Filipino as it was the community that received less attention from the college
due to its location. The organization which is owned and managed by Little
Works of Divine Providence Congregation aims to serve the most poor, abandoned,
neglected, and surrendered persons with disabilities. Most of the kids housed
in Cottolengo are diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy, a condition the fourth years
already have ample knowledge of from their Motor Speech Disorders class.
“I was confident that the fourth years
will be able to rise up to the challenge. The professors and I were hoping that
this experience will be beneficial for the students because they’ll be handling
kids who have the conditions they’re studying and be able to apply the lessons
that were taught,” Mercado said.
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| Photos taken by Felix (4SLP) and SLP Society EVP-ECs |
Each of the students were assigned to a
client and were tasked to assess their speech and language skills. Aside from patients
with cerebral palsy, students also interacted with clients diagnosed with
autism, intellectual disability, hydrocephalus, and Down syndrome.
“In my head I was thinking, ‘I hope I don't let them down’. I wanted to be one of the people that gave as much as they deserve. The kids were very welcoming and the place catered to almost everything they needed. It was an eye-opener for me to a lot of different cases and scenarios wherein I'll be exposed to as a future SLP. The whole experience was challenging and tiring, but in the end, always worth it,” said fourth year student Keana Espiritu when she was asked about her experience.
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| Photos taken by Pumaren (4SLP) and SLP Soc EVP-ECs |
Clients from Cottolengo spend their day socializing with each other and learning from their teachers. They also receive education with subjects such as Math, English, and Filipino. Some of them have learned sign language or express themselves in words and writing. They also have time for sports and other leisure activities such as basketball and volleyball. Others have been tasked to make candles and figurines or help with the administrative duties such as guarding the place and record keeping. They also receive spiritual formation as they are active during Eucharistic celebrations and rosary prayers.
A Rey of hope
Mercado stated that the activity was an opportunity for the students to have a glimpse of what internship would look like, since the students handled clients by themselves. The management of the Cottolengo warmly welcomed the students and assisted them on their assessment.
Mercado stated that the activity was an opportunity for the students to have a glimpse of what internship would look like, since the students handled clients by themselves. The management of the Cottolengo warmly welcomed the students and assisted them on their assessment.
“It felt like a hidden safe place for magical children. The place was large, cozy, and quiet, and the children greeted us with smiles on their faces. They were happy. The neuropathologies we learned in our classrooms were suddenly real people, and the theoretical ideas we learned on how to assess all of a sudden had to be put to use,” said fourth year student Rosabelle Roño.
Roño shared that she had to change her entire evaluation to fit her 19-year old client, Rey, who was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic CP and needed contextual assessment. She shared that she didn’t know what to do at first, but eventually decided to have fun with it, remembering that assessment doesn’t have to follow a recipe.
“The best thing about him was his smile. He was smiling all throughout the session and even if I didn't know what I was doing at first, he eased me into it with his smile. Despite his condition, he looked like he really wanted to speak, and I could see him trying. I was amazed because his receptive language skills was intact, and he had few one word utterances here and there.” said Roño.
“The best thing about him was his smile. He was smiling all throughout the session and even if I didn't know what I was doing at first, he eased me into it with his smile. Despite his condition, he looked like he really wanted to speak, and I could see him trying. I was amazed because his receptive language skills was intact, and he had few one word utterances here and there.” said Roño.
Roño’s client used to go to SPED school which helped with his language skills. He was able to understand and even joke around. Roño recalled that one of the caregivers thanked her saying that the assessment and the program would really help the kids.
After a few days the Cottolengo made a public announcement on their Facebook page about the passing of Roño’s patient. That week, the students were supposed to give a home program specifically designed for each of their client. This was given to the home parent of each group for administration.
“I also made him a home program because my mom told me he was already home in heaven. The community development wasn't just an activity to me anymore. It has touched my heart so much more than I can imagine. On the bus going home, I found an ensaymada that was meant for Rey. I considered that it was my last gift from him, reminding me to do well for angels like him.”
After a few days the Cottolengo made a public announcement on their Facebook page about the passing of Roño’s patient. That week, the students were supposed to give a home program specifically designed for each of their client. This was given to the home parent of each group for administration.
“I also made him a home program because my mom told me he was already home in heaven. The community development wasn't just an activity to me anymore. It has touched my heart so much more than I can imagine. On the bus going home, I found an ensaymada that was meant for Rey. I considered that it was my last gift from him, reminding me to do well for angels like him.”
Cottolengo Filipino is a private non-stock, non-profit religious and non-government organization licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). It currently houses 42 boys and subsidizes SPED classes for 45 indigent boys & girls with families from the nearby communities and accepts donations and sponsors to sustain the needs of the children. – by Vianca A. Ocampo
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