Kwento to Kwenta: GNPD paints colorful stories of hope with children of special needs

MARIVELES, BATAAN – In an ode to celebrate Autism Awareness Month this April, GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD) held its employee-led volunteer program Project Saysay last April 29, 2024, with the theme Strokes of Progress: Uniting Colors and Minds at Romalaine’s Seafood Restaurant in Alasasin, Mariveles, Bataan.  

The morning was filled with color as the Special Education (SPED) teachers from Antonio G. Llamas Elementary School, 16 SPED students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their parents engaged their creative flairs together with the 10 employees from GNPD who decided to celebrate their birthdays with a cause.  

They engaged in drawing and painting sessions and shared stories through the Kwento to Kwenta session.  

“We have the power to inspire and ignite change. Through our ’Strokes for Progress’ program, we use art to bring hope and healing. Let’s show how painting and drawing can transform these children’s lives, giving them confidence and joy. With every stroke of our brushes, we create a brighter future,” said Joseph Paolo Mendoza, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Superintendent of GNPD and one of the employee volunteers.  

“Always remember, that GNPD champions inclusivity. And GNPD champions our children in the rainbow spectrum,” Mendoza further emphasized.  

This social activity is more than just a way for the kids to showcase their talents through art, it’s also a therapeutic session that helps develop their social and communication skills.  

“One of the primary concerns of the children is social skills where they are molded and exposed to this kind of activities,” said Roselle Millora, SPED 1 Teacher at AGLES. “This kind of activity helps the parents and teachers of these children on exposing them to this kind of creative activities, showcasing their hidden talents and enhancing their interaction skills with others.” 

GNPD also donated sensory and educational toys to the students, such as wooden blocks, toy walkers, board puzzles, and other interactive toys that can improve their focus and attention span. Moreover, these toys also help stimulate their brains to create neutral pathways, which can improve their sensory processing systems, fine motor skills, and coordination.  

“The world tells you to be productive, but my son speaks a different language,” expressed Acev Vista, one of the parents present during the event. “Hunger pangs aren’t spoken, and frustration isn’t shouted. It takes a special kind of attention that can’t be scheduled or delegated. Even on days when the weight of the world feels heavy, we find a way. Because for these non-verbal hearts and to other children with special needs, love becomes our common tongue, built with endless patience, one tired step at a time.” 

As the premier advocates for empowering progress, Project Saysay is one of GNPD’s flagship volunteerism programs, encourages employees to choose a beneficiary to celebrate their birthday with. This way, their birthdays become more than just a celebration of their life, but an extension for others. 

True enough, there is no barrier that compassion and volunteerism cannot conquer – and with GNPD paving the way through its CSR initiatives, we can uplift communities by bridging the social gaps of the past.