“Inclusion is not just about presence. It’s about participation, empowerment, and joy.”
On April 11, 2025, the Rotary Club of Marbel joined forces with fellow Area 3H clubs — Rotary Club of Koronadal, Koronadal Central, and Metro Koronadal — to celebrate Autism Awareness 2025 through a meaningful gift turnover ceremony at Koronadal Central Elementary School – 1 Gym.
This initiative supported Rotary’s areas of focus, particularly Maternal and Child Health and Disease Prevention and Treatment, by helping improve learning experiences for children in the Special Needs Education (SNED) program.
🎁 Tools that Inspire Movement and Joy
The highlight of the event was the turnover of musical and sensory learning tools designed to promote movement, creativity, and joy among children with special needs.
Items donated included:
- 6 sets of musical instruments (including tambourines, maracas, and bells)
- 3 interactive musical piano mats
- 6 gym balls for sensory and physical development
- 3 electronic pianos to encourage musical expression
These tools aim to create a more engaging, responsive, and fun learning environment for learners with diverse needs.
Reaching 82 Special Learners
A total of 82 pupils from the SNED program benefited from this project. These students represent a wide range of learning needs and disabilities including:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Intellectual Disability (ID)
- Learning Disability (LD)
- Visual Impairment (VI)
- Cerebral Palsy (CP)
- Multiple Disabilities with Visual Impairment (MDVI)
- Hearing Impairment (HI)
With the help of these tools, teachers can offer better support and children can enjoy more opportunities for growth and discovery.
A Simple Celebration with a Big Heart
The program opened with a prayer, the national anthem, and welcome remarks from the host club. School heads and Rotary leaders shared messages of support, followed by the symbolic turnover of gifts and a touching response from SNED teachers.
After the ceremony, light snacks were shared to give pupils and Rotarians a chance to connect, interact, and celebrate the moment together.
More than a Ceremony
This was more than a gift-giving event. It was a celebration of inclusion and an affirmation of every child’s right to be supported and understood.
Rotary continues to serve not just through projects but through meaningful connections. We believe that every child deserves to be seen, valued, and empowered. With compassion and collaboration, we can build communities where everyone belongs.
