The Childrenโs Paradise Montessori School (CPMS) has been selected as the pilot school for Best Buddies Philippinesโ elementary program in Cebu.
Best Buddies is a global initiative that fosters inclusion and friendship for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). It is a globally recognized initiative that promotes inclusion for individuals with IDD for over a decade in the Philippines. Founded with a mission to create opportunities for friendship, leadership, and employment, the program has touched the lives of countless individuals by fostering an inclusive community where everyone, regardless of ability, is valued.
CPMS Founder and President Marivic Bathan shared her excitement about this collaboration during a recent interview, noting how closely aligned Best Buddies is with CPMS’s commitment to inclusion.
Ms. Bathan explained that Best Buddies Philippines chose CPMS since it fosters an inclusive environment where students with and without disabilities learn and grow together. The school has been looking for a program that supports not only its current students, and alumni who continue to face challenges as they transition into adulthood.
Through this collaboration, CPMS will now serve as a Best Buddies chapter, spearheading both the elementary program and future initiatives that aim to provide ongoing support for individuals with IDD, she said.
Bathan emphasized the impact of Best Buddies’ flagship pre-employment program, which complements CPMS’s existing initiatives for young adults. With this partnership, the school hopes to continue promoting inclusion and support for students and their families, paving the way for a more inclusive community in Cebu.
Ms. Michele Ressa Aventajado, Executive Director of Best Buddies Philippines, has been at the helm of this transformative movement since its inception.
“We further inclusion through three pillars: friendship, leadership, and employment,” Aventajado explains. These pillars serve as the foundation for the program’s activities, designed to empower individuals with IDD by connecting them with peers, mentors, and job opportunities.
By partnering with CPMS, Best Buddies Philippines is piloting its elementary school program to create a nurturing space where students with and without disabilities can learn, grow, and thrive together, she added.
This collaboration, builds on the schoolโs long-standing commitment to inclusivity, making it an ideal partner for the Best Buddies initiative.
Beyond the school partnerships, the program also engages parents, educators, and local businesses to create a broader understanding of inclusion.
“As a parent of a child with Down syndrome, I know how important it is to feel supported and connected to a community,” said Aventajado. Best Buddies Philippinesโ aims to uplift individuals with IDD, and educate and involve the larger community through workshops, leadership seminars, and social events like the mini friendship walk.
In addition to the core pillars of friendship and leadership, Best Buddies is actively working on employment programs, ensuring that individuals with IDD are given the chance to contribute to society in meaningful ways.
Aventajadoโs vision is clear: inclusion isnโt just a goal; itโs a journey that requires the collective effort of everyone in the community. “We’re planting seeds of inclusion,” she says. These seeds, nurtured through partnerships with schools, businesses, and families, will help shape a future where individuals with disabilities are seen, heard, and fully embraced as vital members of society.
