AVRCII PARTICIPATES IN BENILDE SDEAS CHARTING PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS CARAVAN

Posted on: March 13,2023

Mr. Baliza introducing himself to the AVRC II clients as the Sign Language interpreter.

The AVRC II benefited again from the partnership with De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (Benilde SDEAS) through the conduct of the career orientation caravan entitled, "Charting Professional Success" to the 46 active clients on March 1, 2023 at the AVRC II Multipurpose Hall. This activity is part of the Benilde SDEAS 5-year project Growing Regional Opportunities of Work (Deaf GROW) in partnership with the Rochester Institute of Technology in the USA and Dong Nai University in Vietnam and with funding support from the Nippon Foundation. The goal of this project is to establish career centers at the countries of operations of the implementing agencies to help the deaf secure jobs and establish their own business.

Benilde SDEAS team with the AVRC II clients after the conduct of the caravan.

The Benilde SDEAS team was led by Mr. Oscar Sherlo Reyes, Director of the Center for Partnership and Development, School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies and they were welcomed by Ms. Florita Q. Dabon, Senior Manpower Development Officer of the AVRC II. Mr. John Xandre Baliza, SDEAS Faculty and Chairperson of the Bachelor in Sign Language Interpretation, and Ms Sarah Canete provided the needed sign language interpretation.

Mr. Raymond Manding and Mr. Bronson Escalderon, the resource speakers underscored the immense potential of deaf persons and all individuals regardless of their existing disability. They shared the different careers that deaf individuals can become such as Customer Solutions Agent, Senior Graphic Designer, Film Maker, Freelance Videographer, SPED Teacher, PhD/ Doctor of Philosophy, Catechist, Research Assistant, Web Designer, Cakeshop owner, Credit Analyst. The Benilde SDEAS team instilled in the participants that to realize these careers, the person has to graduate from the training and continuously work on improving one's self-efficacy. The unforgettable quote was Mr. Manding, "Don't say wait or I don't know how to do it instead train yourself to say I will try, I will do it."

Deaf clients of the AVRC II doing their Vision Boards.

The AVRC II clients gained varied insights and aspirations about career preparation, opportunities, and strategies to cope their challenges through the Vision Board Making activity. They shared their dream careers with joy and enthusiasm. The caravan is very relevant according to the participants and Mr. Ariel Tantiador, Computer Systems Servicing client, was quoted sharing Lao Tsu's teaching, "You give a hungry man a fish, you feed him for a day, but if you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime." The clients also gladly received face masks and brochures about the Benilde SDEAS education programs.

The Benilde SDEAS hopes to partner with various schools and organizations in equipping future Deaf talents through various capacity enhancement and collaborative linkages in assisting Deaf talents secure their dream career. The AVRC II is always grateful to this partnership since this will enable the fruition of its vision of empowering persons with disabilities to become active contributors to nation-building.