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Starting October 15, Southstar Drug (SSD) branches nationwide will be selling bags that have been designed by selected artists with disability that are part of Project Inclusion Network (PIN)’s pool. The artworks will also be produced as desk and wall calendars as giveaways this Christmas.
Part of the proceeds will go to educational training and development of PWDs scholars that SSD and PIN are supporting to further improve their capacity to actively participate in our society.
SSD and PIN have been working together in creating opportunities for PWDs. For the past three years, SSD has been working with PIN in placing PWDs in several of their branches. To date, they have already employed 23 Persons with Disability within the company, most of them are now regular employees.
According to Christine Tueres, South Star Drug General Manager, this is very much aligned with their company’s advocacy and overall philosophy. “We care a little more” is a tagline that they have used and it further strengthens their decision to extend assistance to people who need a little more special care and attention, not to mention inclusion.
PlN’s Executive Director Grant Javier explained that helping improve access to work opportunities for Persons with Disability is part of our responsibility as citizens to ensure that all members of society are included, and are provided with equal opportunities.
While society has been a little more open and inclusive to PWDs, there is still that perception that Persons with Disability cannot be fully functioning members of society. It is this stigma that has driven PIN to raise awareness and engage more companies like Southstar Drug to build a more inclusive and barrier-free Philippines.
It is with this mindset that SSD and PIN explored more opportunities to engage with the PWDs community and to get SSD consumers involved as well. This year, they are launching the campaign, Drop the Prefix, to not just raise awareness about Persons with Disabilities but more importantly, to raise more funds to sponsor the training and development of Persons with Disability who have shown potential in arts.
The uniquely designed bags are produced by PWDs through Goodwill Industries of the Philippines, a civic organization whose main purpose is to provide “skill empowerment” to PWDs so they will be able to reach their full potential as individuals and as contributing members of society. This is also in line with SSD’s mission, and so Goodwill is the perfect partner for this campaign.
Art knows no boundaries and limitations and Persons with Disability involved in this cause have been discovering hidden depths and joy through painting, sketching, designing and other forms of art. With the Drop the Prefix campaign, SSD, PIN and Goodwill Industries have joined forces to help create a space for Persons with Disability to realize their potential, earn a living, and enhance their skills by providing them with educational opportunities.
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