The Deaf and Hearing Camp, a collaboration between DLS-CSB SDEAS and Stairway Foundation, Inc., promotes inclusion and mutual understanding between Deaf and hearing participants. Through training, seminars, and interactive activities, the camp empowers Deaf individuals to know their rights, build confidence, and share their culture and language. At the same time, it raises awareness among hearing participants, helping break communication barriers and promoting equality, respect, and inclusion within the broader community. In this one-week event, the participants learn about personal safety, self-awareness, rights, and livelihood programs. Through experiential learning, the camp fosters self-reliance, promotes economic empowerment, and helps reduce poverty and social exclusion among the Deaf community. The camp also integrates livelihood and income-generating projects that promote self-reliance, sustainable living, and economic empowerment. By equipping Deaf individuals with practical skills and knowledge, the program enhances their capacity to secure food and resources for themselves and their families. This initiative not only addresses hunger but also reduces poverty and social exclusion within the Deaf community.
In addition, the camp empowers Deaf and hearing participants to advocate for the protection and rights of children, especially in preventing sexual abuse. Through campaigns, creative performances (such as Cracked Mirror), and training sessions, the program promotes awareness, equality, and respect, ensuring that all children, regardless of ability, understand that their rights are protected from violence and discrimination. Through training, seminars, and interactive activities, the camp empowers Deaf individuals to know their rights, build confidence, and share their culture and language. At the same time, it raises awareness among hearing participants, helping break communication barriers and promoting equality, respect, and inclusion within the broader community.
The activities help participants to practice sustainability, self-awareness, and accountability in their daily lives and communities. Through interactive activities, training, and seminars, both Deaf and hearing participants learn to value resources, develop personal-scale income-generating projects, and make mindful decisions that contribute to sustainable living. By fostering collaboration and mutual understanding between sectors, the project nurtures a sense of responsibility not only toward oneself but also toward society and the environment, promoting a culture of conscious action and sustainable development. The sessions were conducted from April 26 to May 1, 2023.
Furthermore, some discussions and talks led the participants to raise awareness and inspire active participation in environmental protection efforts such as the Earth Day 2024 Challenge, mangrove planting, and coastal cleanup. Through these activities, participants learn the importance of caring for the environment and taking collective action against climate change. The camp also promotes inclusivity through sign language interpreting, including the interpretation of The Lorax play, allowing both Deaf and hearing communities to engage meaningfully in discussions about environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Moreover, through hands-on exploration, students, volunteers, and associates of SDEAS gain a deeper understanding of how human actions impact marine life, inspiring them to protect and conserve ocean ecosystems for a sustainable future through immersing SDEAS students, volunteers, and associates in marine environments to learn about the importance of mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs.
Lastly, the Deaf and Hearing Camp supports fostering inclusion, mutual respect, and understanding between Deaf and hearing communities. It provides a safe and empowering environment where participants can learn about equality, communication, and self-awareness, breaking barriers that often lead to discrimination or exclusion. By building bridges between diverse groups, the camp nurtures empathy, cooperation, and active citizenship as the key elements in creating inclusive and just communities. It was held last April 23-28, 2024, at Puerto Galera, Mindoro.
