Kiwanis clubs in Aklan lift spirits of special children in Makato

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Meet Watarie, Alwin and Jan Paulo, Jr. of Sitio Hagachac in Barangay Bay-Bay, Makato, Aklan. The brothers aged 14, 9 and 7 are special children battling duchenne muscular dystrophy, a severe genetic disorder which causes muscles in the body to become very weak.

On August 12, the siblings accompanied by their parents were among the recipients of a Kiwanis service in Stimulation and Therapeutic Activity Center (STAC) in Makato, Aklan.

“Mahirap silang gumalaw. Itong isang anak ko may scolioris dahil sa weak back muscles,” their father said at the sidelines of wide-ranging community service of Kiwanis Club of Golden Salakot Aklan led by president Boy Ryan Zabal and Kiwanis Club of Kalibo led by David Villanueva.

Maila Villorente, in-charge of STAC Makato and Malinao, said the timely visit of Kiwanis lifted the spirits of special children receiving care in their facility in Makato town plaza.

Kiwanis volunteers put quite a few smiles on the faces of brothers Rodel and Ruel, who are dealing with intellectual disability, as well as for Ryan with behavioral disorder and his brother autistic Philip John.

Apart from support and care for nearly 50 special children, Kiwanis volunteers also distributed canned goods, noodles, coloring books, crayons, bread, story books, notebooks, pencils and towels.

Philippine South District Division 2C Lieutenant Governor Reynald Patnugot said “the giving of the Sunday time of Kiwanis volunteers to talk and interaction with special children and the family members is priceless.”

“It means a lot for Kiwanis clubs to be here in STAC Makato, even for a couple of hours. The encouraging words boost the spirits of children with special needs, their optimism to live despite battling real life adversities,” he added.

STAC Makato, established on February 2005, is the second facility in Aklan visited by the Kiwanis clubs this year.