Photo courtesy of Raphy Escalante
DUBAI: A 21-year-old student at the Palawan National School Special Education (PNS SPED) Adult Transition Program (ATP), who sold peanuts to help augment his and his family’s financial needs recently graduated from the school with a dream to become a mathematics teacher.
“Para makatulong sa magulang, kasi mahirap ‘yong walang hanapbuhay,” Christopher “Topher” Adelantar, reportedly a familiar face at the City Hall, where he sells peanuts, sometimes fish crackers, and other snacks, told Palawan News,
He said he has been selling peanuts around the city for many years to provide for his widowed mother and family, and also to support his studies.
Karen Pronto-Siriban, PNS SPED coordinator, told Palawan News their program aims to help individuals with developmental disabilities like Adelantar 18 years old and above so they can be productive in the society.
“Ang vision po talaga kasi ng SPED, ng transition [program], is sila ay maging part na talaga ng society through skills training. Si Kuya Topher naman has been doing that for quite some time. So bago pa siya pumasok dito sa PNS, nagbe-benta na rin po siya,” Siriban said.
She said the ATP was launched by the PNS in September last year and has produced three graduates this March, including Adelantar.
