Visually-impaired students see running program through with Primer Group and Team Posible support

May 8, 2019

Sheryl, a 17-year old Grade 12 student from the Philippine National School for the Blind, with a medal, certificate of completion, and microphone in hand, saw the opportunity to express her overwhelming joy and heartfelt gratitude for Primer Group of Companies and Team Posible in behalf of her 14 other visually-challenged classmates at their Graduation and Culminating Activity of the Team Posible Advocacy Project last April 11, 2019 at the WorkPlays, Amphitheatre, Primer Star Centre, Leon Guinto, Malate, Manila.

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Students from the Philippine National School for the Blind, their running guides, and representatives from Primer Group of Companies at the Culminating Activity of the Team Posible Advocacy Project

Wala mang paningin o malabo man ang paningin, nagiging malinaw ito sa pamamagitan ng pagtakbo. Nagpapasalamat po kami sa Team Posible dahil wala kami rito kung wala kayo. Salamat sa inyo at sa Primer! (Our vision may be impaired or blurry, but everything becomes clear when we run. Our sincerest gratitude goes to Team Posible, because without them, we wouldn’t be here. Thank you so much to Team Posible and to Primer!)” exclaims Sheryl.

Masaya po kasi, sa amin pong students, di namin ine-expect na ganoon po ‘yung matatakbo namin. Ngayon, maka-receive na kami ng certificate sa tiyaga naming tumakbo nang ganoon kalayo. (We’re really happy because we students did not expect that we can run at a far distance; and today, we have received a certificate brought about by our perseverance to go the distance,)” she adds.

These 14 students could not hide the joy painted on their faces, as each of them marched in front to receive their medal and certificate. For them, these serve as their inspiration that they can do great feats despite the challenges they face.

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The graduates upon receiving their medals and certificates of completion

The graduates also expressed their gratitude through offering a song number and performing a dance routine.

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Students sing ‘Salamat‘ by Yeng Constantino as gratitude

Before completing the program, these students had to go through weekly training at the University of the Philippines academic oval, together with their assigned running guides. For five months since November 2018, 14 students trained and raced through the oval using running gears from R.O.X. (Recreational Outdoor eXchange) and The North Face, and with the guidance of 14 Team Posible volunteers who served as their eyes.

Inspired by the tandem of Aga “The Blind Runner” Casidsid and his trusted running guide Coach Gado Pelingo, the program aims to continue to inspire visually-impaired children and to give them hope no matter the challenges they face.

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“Masaya. Nakatakbo nang malayo kahit hinihingal ako. Kinakaya at kakayanin. Hangga’t kaya, hangga’t may buhay, may pag-asa. (Glad to run even though I run out of breath. I am doing well and continue to do well. As long as I can, as long as I live, I shall never lose hope,)” Harold, another student, happily shared almost tearfully.

For more information about the project, contact Kristine Villaflor at kristine.villaflor@primergrp.com or Patrick Damasco at patrick.damasco@primergrp.com or at local 1208.