Dumaguete holds sportsfest for special children
by Jennifer C. Tilos
Dumaguete City (27 October) -- The Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network (ONCAN) holds its 2nd annual sports fest for children today at Silliman University Grounds. Dubbed “Dula sa Kabataan 2006”, is part of this years celebration of the National Children’s Month and participated in by the different wards and clients of the different NGO’s comprising the network.
“The main goal of this activity is to enable the children to interact with each other in an environment that allows them to learn and have fun at the same time,” states Mr. Jack Washington, ONCAN President. Washington said that most of these children often do not have the chance to freely play without being looked at with prejudice.
Participants of Dula sa Kabataan 2006 will include children with disabilities, former street children, children from disadvantage families and orphans. All the games will be inclusive and adapted thus allowing the inclusion of children with different abilities including those who are in wheelchairs and other assistive devices as well as those with developmental impairments.
Washington stressed that this activity is to let the children be themselves, free and joyful and all the games allow for the participation of children with disabilities in order to show the others that they all can interact with each other, regardless of what they are physically or mentally.
The sports fest is one way of trying to eliminate discrimination among young people, teaching them fairness, a value that they can have when they grow up.
ONCAN is a network of NGO’s that are catering to the needs of children at risk like street children, children in conflict with the law, abused children, children from disadvantaged families, orphans and children with disabilities. Based in Dumaguete City, its members include organizations that are operating within the province of Oriental Negros. (PIA) [top]
