Celebrating December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities at the local level

The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Strumica implemented several activities for observing 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Starting with the idea of promoting respect for the rights of persons with disability at all levels of the education system, including children at an early age, members of the organization presented the colour books made in the past period, within the project “Mine – Yours – Our Colour!”. Presentations were made in the four primary schools in Strumica for pupils from the first grade through creative workshops. Members of PORAKA Strumica with support from the school personnel were mentors to the pupils and assisted them to create the drawings dot by dot and then to colour them. They also learned about animals, fruits, winter and summer, themes that are covered with the colour books. Under the motto “Mine – Yours – Our Colour!”, on 3.12.2019 PORAKA Strumica organized the main manifestation for observing 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The colour books and the handicrafts made by the members of PORAKA Strumica were presented at the manifestation and the guests had the possibility to buy them for a symbolic price. The money from the sale will be used for purchasing materials for work at the Social Club – PORAKA Strumica. During the event, pupils from the primary schools performed recitals/mini dramas about equality of children, in which members of PORAKA Strumica took part as well. The programme ended with citing some of the rights enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, right to education, right to employment, health and social protection, etc. told by members of PORAKA Strumica, and the pupils, hand in hand with them, gave a brief overview of those rights and the need for those rights to be respected by all people. Brief overview was also given regarding 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the main goals of PORAKA Strumica and its programme activities, as well as the meaning of socialization and inclusion of persons with disability in society. The event was attended by members of the Council of the Municipality of Strumica, principals, special education teachers, psychologists, social workers and speech therapists in all primary and secondary schools in Municipality of Strumica, pupils, their parents, friends, co-workers, supporters, representatives of youth organizations, NGOs and other organizations and institutions.
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Vinica during November organized workshops for making New Year Cards, decorations and handicrafts together with the special classes in the Primary School “Koco Racin” in Blatec. The workshops were held in the Social Club – PORAKA Vinica. On 2nd of December, representatives from PORAKA Vinica met with the Director of the Centre for Social Work, Borjanka Stoimenova, and emphasized the need of conducting a research and questionnaires with families of persons with intellectual disability, potential beneficiaries of the Social Club from rural areas. On 4th of December for observing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, as well as half a year since the opening of the Social Club, a sales exhibition was organized at the organization’s premises. This event was attended by representatives for the Republic Centre – PORAKA, representatives from the Local Self-Government, the Centre for Social Work, beneficiaries of the Day Centre for persons with disabilities in Vinica, representatives from the business sector, PORAKA Stip, different institution on local level and other citizens. In order to express gratitude for the support provided by institutions and the business sector, plaques and acknowledgements were given to all who helped in starting the work and equipping the Social Club. On 12th of December 2019, representatives from PORAKA Vinica had a meeting with the Mayor of Vinica, Ivica Dimitrov, and discussed the needs of the organization and the social service, and also the programme activities for 2020. On the same day joint workshop was held with members of PORAKA Makedonska Kamenica, the special classes from the primary School “Koco Racin” and beneficiaries of the Social Club – PORAKA Vinica.
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Radovis observed 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with activities on local level. The activities followed the guidelines and the topic “Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda”. On local level, PORAKA Radovis tried to strengthen the image of persons with disability putting the accent of possibilities and abilities rather than the disabilities of these persons. On 2nd of December 2019 beneficiaries of the Day Centre PORAKA Radovis took part in an inclusive music lessons at the Primary School “Krste Petkov Misirkov”. Together with the pupils, they showed their abilities for musical expressions, and that we are all equal in sharing happiness and positive energy through music and songs. Also, they were introduced to different music instruments that pupils use to practice at their classes. At the premises of the Day Centre, on 3.12.2019, PORAKA Radovis observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The event was attended by the Mayor of Municipality of Radovis, Gerasim Konzulov, the Mayor of Municipality of Konce, Blagoj Iliev, representatives of the Council of Municipality of Radovis, business sector, public sector, the kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, and representatives of the NGO sector. It started with music performance by the Choir of the Primary School “Krste Petkov Misirkov”, and then the President of PORAKA Radovis, Violetka Srbakova, addressed the present guests. Tatjana Kostadinova, engaged person at the Day Centre, talked about the significance of 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the rights, needs and possibilities of persons with disability, their integration in society life. As a token of appreciation for financial support of the Day Centre, PORAKA Radovis gave acknowledgements to institutions and individuals. PORAKA Radovis organized and set an exhibition of handicrafts made by the beneficiaries of the Day Centre, which were put on sale. The money gathered from the sale will be aimed for purchasing working materials for the realization of the occupational activities at the Day Centre. On 6.12.2019 the beneficiaries of the Day Centre visited the printing house SONI, where they were introduced to the way of printing various office materials, making business cards, birthday invitations. Additionally, they will be given printed New Year’s calendars and cups with their pictures on them. The NGO Vesta Zena “Verica” organized “Radoviska Etno Sofra” on 8th of December to observe the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. There was an auction on dishes prepared by the members of this organization from Radovis and Strumica, and the money gathered were aimed for the beneficiaries of the Day Centre – PORAKA Radovis, one child that needs medical treatments and one family from the village Podares.
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Bitola realized several activities to observe 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The visit of the Department for Police Prevention at the Police Station in Bitola, on invitation of PORAKA Bitola, and the workshop for “Traffic Culture – Movements in Traffic and Traffic Rules” was held on 27th of November in the premises of the Social Club – PORAKA Bitola. Pupils from the 5th grade at the Primary School “Todor Angelevski” also attended this inclusive workshop. The beneficiaries of the Social Club together with the pupils and the policemen actively took part, asked questions, which showed their interest and certain knowledge about the traffic culture. Joint inclusive workshop of the beneficiaries at the Social Club – PORAKA Bitola and pupils from the Primary School “Todor Angelevski” was held on 29th of November. They all made leaflets and messages that were distributed during the event “Draw Love”, and after the event, the leaflets were also shared at Sirok Sokak. The main event “Draw Love” was held on 3.12.2019 at the Art Gallery Magaza. Participants of the event and the workshop were the Primary Schools “Todor Angelevski”, “Kliment Ohridski” and the Institute for Rehabilitation of Children with Hearing Impairment “Koco Racin”. Spreading the message of non-discrimination, friendship and coexistence, love, respect for diversity, while presenting the possibilities of persons with intellectual disability, PORAKA Bitola observed the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. There was an exhibition of artworks and handicrafts made by persons with intellectual disability, members of PORAKA Bitola, with emphasis on the famous tattoos by Vasko Vojnovski. In order to better integrate in all segments of social life, but also as one of the ways to overcome prejudices and stereotypes in the community, by sharing the handicrafts, PORAKA Bitola presented some of the possibilities, talents and potentials of persons with intellectual disability in front of the visitors to the exhibition and the workshop. The beneficiaries of the Social Club – PORAKA Bitola had a music performance, and then they performed together with the pupils from the Primary School “Todor Angelevski”. Members of the “Anastasia Centre”, school for performing arts and music had a performance as well. After the completion of the inclusive workshop, all those who supported the Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Bitola in 2019, were given acknowledgement, and the written messages and part of the artworks were distributed at Sirok Sokak. PORAKA Bitola in cooperation with the Red Cross Bitola and the Institute of Transfusiology organized the third traditional blood donation action on the occasion of 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on 6.12.2019 in the premises of PORAKA Bitola. Employees of the Municipality of Bitola, the Police Station in Bitola and volunteers in PORAKA Bitola took part in this action.
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Kavadarci visited the local media KTV Kavadarci, on the occasion of 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The members of the organization had the opportunity to see the functioning of a TV station and the ways of presenting news to the public. Panel discussion was held on 5.12.2019 with pupils from the higher classes at the Primary School “Tode Hadzitefov”, where Marija Shandarova, special educator at the school and members of PORAKA Kavadarci, discussed with the pupils concerning the disability and human rights topics. Creative workshop was held at the premises of PORAKA Kavadarci on 6.12.2019.
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Delcevo has joined the campaign “Days of Humanity – Donate with Love”, which Municipality of Delcevo organized on the occasion of 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Several activities were held within the campaign. On 2nd of December 2019, at the cinema hall in Delcevo, a concert “Music from the World” was performed by Dejan Gorgievski and Elena Trajkova, where members of PORAKA Delcevo were guests. On 3rd December, in Day Centre for persons with disabilities in Delcevo, a sensory room was opened, and in the evening, members of PORAKA Delcevo saw MIlco Mancevski’s film Vrba (Willow).
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Demir Hisar in cooperation with the Secondary School “Krste P.Misirkov”, and under the auspices of the Mayor of Municipality Demir Hisar, Marjance Stojanovski, on 2.12.2019 observed two occasions, 41 year since the establishing the organization and 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Ljube Dimcevski, President of PORAKA Demir Hisar, talked about the activities implemented by the organization in the past year. The Mayor expressed his efforts in improving the conditions for integration of persons with intellectual disability in the community. Within the observance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, PORAKA Demir Hisar organized a competition on the topic “The Hope means Life”. The literary and art works were reviewed by a commission that announced the winners. Pupils received diplomas and awards for their achievements provided by PORAKA Demir Hisar and famous writers from Demir Hisar. Acknowledgements for participating in the competition for literary and art works were also given to the professors who worked with the pupils. For successful work and support of the activities of PORAKA Demir Hisar in 2019, individuals and institutions were awarded with acknowledgements. On 3rd of December, PORAKA Demir Hisar opened the doors of the Social Club that was visited by representatives of the Local Self-Government, institutions, organizations, institutions, citizens’ associations.
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Skopje following the guidelines given by the United Nations for observing 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities and the chosen theme “Promoting the participation of persons with disabilities and their leadership: taking action on the 2030 Development Agenda”, realised different activities. On 29.12.2019 members of PORAKA Skopje took part at the event “Games without masks”, theatre without discrimination, at the Macedonian National Theatre. On 3.12.2019 members of the organization saw the Folklore Concert organized by the Association of persons with physical disability and the folklore group “Biljana”. On 4.12.2019 the beneficiaries at the Day Centres – PORAKA Skopje had a workshop with the volunteers from the association for moral and spiritual values “Izgrev”. The theme of the workshop was “Equal rights for all persons”. In the period 2.12.-7.12.2019 beneficiaries of the Day Centres of PORAKA Skopje took part in several sports activities: sports and recreational activities in the Primary School “Ljuben Lape” together with the pupils from this school. Then, sports activities at the Secondary School “Zdravko Cvetkovski”, an activity provided by the Unit for Sport in City Of Skopje, and recreational swimming at the swimming pool in A1 Arena, which was provided and supported by Rotary Club Skopje and the Swimming Club “Vardar 8”. During December 2019 the preparations for the presentation of the short theater musical performance “Connections” prepared and directed by actors from Theater Pi, performed by the beneficiaries of the services of the day centers of PORAKA in Skopje, were intensified. The premiere of the performance was on 19th December at the Home of Culture “Kocho Racin” in Skopje.
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Makedonska Kamenica observed 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with an event, which was held at the Home of Culture in Makedonska Kamenica. The aim of the event was to send a message for equality and inclusion of persons with intellectual disability in the society. Representatives of all institutions in Municipality of Makedonska Kamenica attended, also representatives from the business sector, athletes and other citizens. The beneficiaries of the Social Club – PORAKA Makedonska Kamenica had a musical performance. During the event, PORAKA Makedonska Kamenica gave acknowledgements to persons that supported the programme activities in the organization in 2019.
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Veles was actively involved in observing 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The President of PORAKA Veles was a guest at the morning programme in the local radio station “5-FM” on 2nd of December. She spoke about the significance of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, how this day should be observed, the guidelines provided by the UN, etc. During the conversation, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was mentioned, its meaning and the level of implementation of this strategic document in our country. There were several live calls with questions and comments from listeners. The same day, members of PORAKA Veles visited the Day Centre for persons with disabilities in Veles, where they were given promotional materials prepared by the Republic Centre – PORAKA, the brochure “Myth Buster – Independent Living” and the easy to read version of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. On 3rd of December, in the Special Primary School “Maca Ovcarova” – Veles, the traditional art workshop was held. Members of PORAKA Veles participated in the workshop, and 12 drawings were selected by the commission and put on 2020 calendars.
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Prilep implemented several activities for observing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Workshop for creating jewelry was held on 28.11.2019, at the Day Centre, together with pupils from the Secondary School “Gjorce Petrov”. On 2nd of December, the beneficiaries of the Day Centre – PORAKA Prilep visited the same school. During this visit, persons with intellectual disability had the possibility for cosmetics and hear treatments according to their wishes. On 3 December, the Day Centre for persons with intellectual disability above 18 years of age was officially opened. The event was attended by the Mayor of Municipality of Prilep, Ilija Jovanoski, representatives from the Local Self-Government, the Republic Centre – PORAKA, pupils from the Secondary School “Gjorce Petrov” and members of PORAKA Prilep. As a part of the event, the beneficiaries of the Day Centre along with pupils from the Secondary School “Gjorce Petrov” wrote messages about the importance of this social service in the community. The beneficiaries of the Day Centre together with pupils from this school and pupils from the Primary School “Koco Racin”, were sharing handmade cards and the newsletter “PORAKA” at the city square on 19th of December. The goal was to raise public awareness regarding persons with intellectual disability, sending a message that they too are part of the society and that they are useful citizens and contribute to its functioning.
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Kriva Palanka traditionally every year, on the occasion of 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, organizes and implements competition for art and literary creations in which pupils from the primary schools from the Municipalities of Kriva Palanka and Rankovce participate. The best works of the competition were selected on 28.11.2019 and the awarded pupils were given diplomas. On the same day, visits were made to the homes of three families with members with intellectual disability.
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Gevgelija within the observation of 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities implemented several activities. PORAKA Gevgelija was actively involved in the event under the motto: “We exist too”, organized by the Association of Disability Organizations in Gevgelija on 3.12.2019. The event began with defile/parade from the Centre for Social Work to the Theatre in Gevgelija. Seven persons with intellectual disability and their mothers, members of PORAKA Gevgelija took part in the defile/parade along with representatives from the Centre for Social Work, associations of persons with disabilities and other supporters. The goal was to increase the visibility of persons with disability, the problems they face, as well as raising public awareness in direction of equality and acceptance of these persons. The defile ended at the National Theatre in Gevgelija where the presidents of all association addressed the citizens. They called on the state and the Local Self-Government to improve the living conditions, the employment of persons with disabilities without any discrimination. The President of PORAKA Gevgelija in her addressing to the citizens emphasized the problems and challenges that persons with intellectual disability and their families face. She urged the Mayor and the Municipality to make more efforts to support these persons and to change the policies that concern persons with disabilities. During the event, the Mayor of Gevgelija also addressed the citizens, and noted that Municipality of Gevgelija has so far met the needs of persons with disabilities and will continue to do so in the future by providing them assistance and support. Moreover, efforts will be made in creating new programmes and services according to the needs of persons with disabilities. The associations of persons with disabilities ended the event with music performance.
The Centre for Support of Persons with Intellectual Disability – PORAKA Stip observed 3 December, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities with several activities. The organization realized a visit to the Territorial Fire Brigade in Stip, where the members were introduced with the role, importance and meaning of this service in everyday life, in saving lives in fires, accidents. Invited by Secondary School “Iskra”, members of PORAKA Stip attended manifestation for observing 3 December, and had wonderful moments with the pupils. In the justified absence of the Mayor, Biljana Kazandziska – representative of the Local Self-Government, visited the members of PORAKA Stip and emphasized the commitment and support given by Municipality of Stip for these persons in meeting their needs. The central manifestation for observing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities was held on 3.12.2019 in the Youth Home – Stip. The programme was enriched with performances by members of PORAKA Stip together with members of City Choir from Stip, the folklore school at the EURO ART Academy, Street Dance Urban Crew ballet group. Awards were given to pupils from the Primary School “Slavejko Arsov” – Stip for best written poetry and prose on the theme: “My Friend with Disability”. The Day Centre for persons with intellectual disability above 18 years of age was opened on 23.12.2019. The opening was attended by the Minister of Labour and Social Policy, Mila Carovska, the Mayor of Municipality of Stip, Blagoj Bocvarski, the Principal of the Primary School “Goce Delcev” in Stip, the President of the Republic Centre – PORAKA, representatives of the Republic Centre’s Executive Office, the Municipality of Stip, public institutions, the business sector and NGOs. PORAKA Stip awarded acknowledgements to persons that worked on the realization and opening of the Day Centre.