Our Families
Espesyal Pinoy (Singapore) was founded on 13 August 2006 by a group of Filipino parents, teachers, doctors, therapists and caregivers of special needs children. It became a registered society on 22 November 2013.
Espesyal Pinoy’s goal is to empower these special needs families so that they can provide the best support for the challenging needs of their children. It also partners with experts and experienced individuals to gather their insights, strategies and expertise.
Our Society’s History by our Co-Founder
Life becomes more meaningful when you count your blessings and share them with others.
When my daughter Sandra was born 11 years ago in the Philippines, the first thing that came into my mind was, “ How would other families be able to survive the challenges of raising children with special needs if they don’t have enough support like what my family has been blessed with?” Having a geneticist, a child psychologist, and educators in the family, we were properly guided on how we would be able to raise Sandra and make her reach her maximum potential. While being a hands-on mom to Sandra, I never stopped thinking of ways on how our family could reach out to the less privileged ones.
It was on August 13, 2006 when Espesyal Pinoy was created. It came at the heels of a workshop organized by Aulyn Mendoza, teacher and psychologist of a center for children with special needs in Singapore. I was then the parent coordinator of this school and member of my alma mater’s alumni association which we collaborated with. The participants in the workshop were parents, teachers, and therapists of children with special needs who were the original 13 members of Espesyal Pinoy. Since then, the membership has grown in leaps and bounds.
Getting around the demands of everyday life, our members keep in touch through an e-group and Facebook Group which allow us to share information and experiences, provide advice, celebrate successes, and in many instances cheer each other on. Members also get to avail of online consultations that are given by medical practitioners, doctors and therapists. Every quarter, our members gather for a workshop, group counseling session, or a relaxing family activity. We have likewise reached out to close to a thousand people spread out in several audiences during our awareness lectures and friendship days with the Filipino community, the International Baptist Church, the Rotary Club of Singapore and their families, and to our friends in the international community.
On Nov. 3, 2014, Espesyal Pinoy finally became a registered society of Singapore.
Espesyal Pinoy is very fortunate to have met many wonderful and amazing people throughout its journey who have supported us through sponsorship or volunteerism which made our events extra special and well patronized.
