Two College Students Reach Out to Heartspring from the Philippines

Dinah Siasoco and Ana Rivera attended Heartspring's Teacher Exchange Program in May, 2010.

Two graduate students from the College of the Holy Spirit in Manila, Philippines, contacted Heartspring because of their interest in receiving hands-on training in special education. Dinah Siasoco and Ana Rivera came to Heartspring in May 2010 and spent three weeks on the Heartspring campus.

Their training included hands-on observations and participation with Heartspring students and staff, trainings in visual supports, structured teaching, psychology, fund-raising and more. In addition, they had the opportunity to see many other Kansas programs, including the University of Kansas - Speech Clinic and adult agencies in Wichita, such as KETCH, Goodwill Industries and House of Hope.

They were at Heartspring during the annual Parent Weekend, where they helped serve lunch, participate with students and families on horse-drawn carriage rides, and take pictures with some of the students who especially enjoyed having them here.

At the conclusion of their time here, they gave all of Heartspring a thank-you card that read, "From the bottom of our heart...Thank you very much for your generosity, hospitality, for the time you spent with us, for the effort and extra effort you extended to us. We had a wonderful and fruitful experience to bring back home. Please continue to reach out to countries like the Philippines for you are all breathing new life to all of us. Again, SALAMAT PO! (THANK YOU!)"