The Persons with Disability Affairs Office put together people with different disabilities to form a cooperative. The notion has been set since September 2023. How did it start? Let me share the facts, at least – my side of the story.
In 2018 I had co-founders put up with fellow mental health warriors, a SEC registered entity. Pre-pandemic wise, a “Kuya-kuyahan” of the group suggested we propose a coffee shop for people who have psychosocial disability. This is to promote employment for people with the said diversity.
In 2020 during the pandemic, Kuya died but the spark continued in those whom he touched. By 2023, I carried on and founded another SEC registered corporation who consisted of both professionals and warriors alike. The team managed to get the paperworks done as required for the probable partnership with PDAO.
However, because of issues and questions, the paperworks which passed through DOLE livelihood funding and the budgetary costs were sourced and the project continued while denying the organization’s completed requests and proposals. Another main opposition is to have the Orchidarium space open to all PWDs with different disabilities. To this date, the Orchidarium Coffee Shop will now be a PWD’s hub.
This has been a long look at which PDAO and the present local government unit took courage to act. From a mere idea of “Kuya” to an organizational perspective of 2 successive non-profits to a continuing cause. It was not me who succeeded, it was everyone.
The first phase planning and documentation took two years. How many more years will it take? Will it be sustainable? If sustainable, how many years will it stay? Good thing handling cooperatives are more permanent than SEC registered associations.That is to say – commonly.
It must also be noted that people with different disabilities or neurodivergent have different needs. To walk with everyone may take awhile. There are other pros and cons, I don’t know. Maybe, life’s a surprise after all!
What do we learn? We learn that great things start from small things.
By the way, in 2022, a Neurodivergent Coffee Shop named Hugs Cafe opened in Texas, USA. I guess Kuya’s proposal ideas started in 2018, way before Hugs Cafe existed. Anyway, I’m sending you all hugs from the community of the PWDs less the fake IDs!