Australia supports Tahanang Walang Hagdanan livelihood project

“The Australian Embassy is very pleased to be able to help people to help themselves through small-scale enterprises. But I am particularly proud that we can also help people with disabilities help themselves through these livelihood projects,” said Australian Ambassador to the Philippines Bill Tweddell on Friday at the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (TWH) Center in Cainta Rizal.

 

The Australian Ambassador, together with Cainta Mayor Kit Nieto and Rizal Provincial Administrator George Bernardo, graced the ceremonial launch of TWH’s hydroponic vegetable facility.

 

The Embassy’s Direct Aid Program (DAP) supported the expansion of the livelihood project. Through DAP, the TWH was able to construct additional vertical vegetable/herb gardens and plant houses for lettuce farming, and a separate facility for mushroom production. The expansion will provide additional livelihood options for persons with disability (PWD), as well as offer affordable produce to low-income families living within the TWH compound.

 

“I am very pleased to visit TWH, together with Mayor Nieto and Administrator Bernardo. The Embassy and the local government of Rizal are strong supporters of the Center’s work — which is to ensure people with disability are able to participate and contribute to community building,” Ambassador Tweddell said. 

 

This is the second time the Embassy has provided support for TWH. In 2011, DAP provided TWH with a grant to renovate the water and sanitation facility of its livelihood workshop area in Cainta.

 

“Our support to TWH is closely aligned with the Australian Government’s social inclusion agenda and reflects our commitment to extending the benefits of development to all and to promoting the dignity and well-being of people with disability,” said Ambassador Tweddell.

 

TWHI President and Chief Executive Officer, Manuel Agcaoili expressed his gratitude for the Embassy’s continued support, “The Embassy’s ongoing assistance through DAP has provided our workers with income-generating opportunity and helped improve their well-being.” Mr. Agcaoili also thanked Governor Yñares and Mayor Nieto for their support to TWH and their programs that assist persons with disabilities in Rizal.

 

Since 2006, the Australian Embassy’s Direct Aid Program is a small grants scheme that has provided over P35 million to support more than 140 projects that contribute to the welfare and income-generating capacity of disadvantaged groups in the Philippines.

The Embassy encourages groups nationwide to apply for funding.

For more information, contact the DAP Resource Officer at Tel (02) 757-8262 or visit www.philippines.embassy.gov.au.

Press release from Australian Embassy