VISION
IDEA envisions a society in which the Deaf in the Philippines enjoy social and economic equality, exchanging isolation for community, servitude for self-reliance.
MISSION
Our mission is to foster self-reliance by providing academic, vocational, physical, spiritual, and economic opportunities for deaf children, adults, and families.
IDEA currently works exclusively in the Philippines but is open to opportunities to reach out to newly emerging deaf communities in developing countries.
IDEA is funded through donations, contributions, and grants. Its ability to expand is limited only by funding and personnel.
Providing Deaf Education:
IDEA is a non-profit foundation that is working to educate impoverished and neglected deaf children in the Philippines. Thousands of deaf children are able to attend IDEA supported special education classes on the islands of Bohol and Leyte. This is mainly made possible through a sponsorship program by which American or European families and individuals financially support the schooling of a student assigned to them. (Learn more about the sponsorship program)
Employment and Training:
IDEA was established in 1985. Many of the children that were in the early education programs are now adults and have families of their own. The adult Deaf need jobs so IDEA operates various businesses which provide employment to hundreds of deaf men and women. These businesses also offer vocational training for deaf young people. (Learn more about the income generating and employment projects)
Family Help:
It can be tough for deaf married couples to just learn how to set up a home, rent an apartment, pay bills, etc. Imagine how much more difficult it is for new deaf parents to learn how to take care of mostly hearing babies and raise their children. IDEA provides much needed counseling and training.
Housing Development:
Home ownership is such an important step for the Deaf toward independence. IDEA is able to be instrumental in helping its deaf employees purchase their own home and lot through a government housing loan program. IDEA initially purchases the land, subdivides it, constructs the homes, and moves the Deaf families and individuals into the homes on a rent to own basis. It then is able to process the government loan papers and eventually be reimbursed by the government so the funds can be recycled into additional housing for more IDEA Philippines staff.
Much More
IDEA is a holistic ministry to the Deaf in the Philippines. The “Deaf Culture” on Bohol and Leyte is only about 35 years old. There are so many areas of assistance from Spiritual Development to hygiene . . . from financial budgeting to teaching the ABCs. We hope you will take time to learn more about us.
