This October 29th, I was privileged to have served as a volunteer at a Persons with Disability (PWD) and Children with Special Needs event in Towerville, Muzon. Persons with Disability as well as Children with Special Needs have been systematically marginalized by society.

PWD's are those people who have physical disabilities such as being crippled, blind, deaf, etc. These people have difficulty finding jobs in the ever competitive economy due to the major disadvantages they have. But even more, they also face tough difficulties in school due to the lack of equipments and resources that would allow them to be provided with education. For example, the main means in which blind people can read is through this tool called "Braille", which is an alphabet system that capitalizes on tactile senses in order for the blind to 'read' words. However, the books in schools, especially public schools, seldom have the resources to transcribe textbooks into 'Brailles', and thus blind people have difficulties in learning in school. The same applies to other disabilities.

Children with Special Needs, on the other hand, are those children who have mental handicaps and have such as but not limited to ADHD, down syndrome, dyslexia, etc. Like PWD's these children also face obstacles with their learning both in and out of school. Not only are they separated due to their mental handicaps but even more, Children with Special Needs are often disincentivized to integrate with regular kids due to the risks of other children being harmed physically. Overall, both PWD's and Children with Special Needs require huge amounts of support from the community.

This insight is even more made evident as I facilitated activities with kids. The activities were aimed such that these kids may experience socializing games that they otherwise wouldn't have experience in their ordinary schools for the reasons mentioned above.

However, it is important to note that these children still are capable of the same level of brilliance and 'genius' that others are. The art activity for example, highlighted how these children are able to express their emotions through arts and by doing so gradually gain confidence in their abilities and understand their true potentials. Activities like these allow these students to realize their capabilities and allowing them to dream bigger and aim higher in life. I am really proud to have been involved in this project not only promoting the cause of Tunza but also helping kids realize their potential in this world.

Hopefully, next year's Towerville project would involve even more PWD?s and Children with Special Needs. I would also be initiating additional environmental art activities for these children next year so as to also teach these wonderful people about the importance of the environment and social harmony!

Thank you for reading!