Engaging the Friends of Special Children

          Inclusive Partnerships in Action: Building Sustainable Support Systems for Children with Special Needs

     DLSU COSCA-LOVE meets regularly with its partner For-the-Kids Special Education (SPED) Centers.  This year’s meeting at the De La Salle University (DLSU) officially gathered Twenty-four (24) representatives from seventeen (17) Special Education (SPED) partner centers—an 81% participation rate, a significant increase from last year’s 50%. Twenty-three of the participants were female, and one was male. The activity directly advances Sustainable Development Goal No. 10: Reduced Inequality by strengthening support systems for children with disabilities, and Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals,  reinforcing institutional collaboration between DLSU and its partner community-based SPED centers.

      The meeting served as an orientation and consultation platform, enhancing alignment of all participating centers, clarifying program targets, and collaboratively refining processes for the conduct of the regular annual For-the-Kids (FTK).  Concerned committees presented their proposed revisions based on lessons learned from FTK 2025, particularly regarding documentation requirements and volunteer coordination. Interactive icebreakers and open communication among stakeholders fostered renewed enthusiasm and a shared sense of mission, transforming what could have been a routine consultation into a vibrant space for co-creation. Five (5 of 7)  CSPED volunteers participated in the regular partner SPED Centers orientation/consultation.  The latter have signified their commitment to serve as Resource Persons for the Ate-Kuya Volunteer orientations.

      Notably, 100% of partner SPED centers submitted the required Memorandum of Understanding immediately upon the week following the partner SPED Center orientation/consultation, earlier than in the previous cycle.  The 100% submission reflects improved coordination.  Proactive communication via Gmail and Messenger led to strong attendance and timely follow-through. Well-defined action steps, including earlier coordination on campus entry requirements, contingency planning for anticipated monsoon-season disruptions, and expanded volunteer facilitation roles, were institutionalized to improve implementation further. The PhP 3,000 in meals expenses, as against the proposed budget of PhP 5,000, demonstrated prudence in financial management, fiscal responsibility, and program effectiveness. Ms. K. Ching, DLSU-COSCA’s Student Social Formation Program Coordinator, believes that this FTK Centers’ Meeting that sustainable, SDG-responsive social engagement thrives when partnerships are nurtured intentionally, inclusively, and collaboratively—an impact made possible through the continued support of our donors and partners such as GlobalGiving.

Photo Credits:  SSFP;  DLSU COSCA LOVE