With the aim to promote autism awareness and distinctively Filipino art, Precious Works of Differently Abled Enterprise (PWDe), an initiative organized by a group of Persons with Disabilities (PWD), has partnered with Lazada to empower persons with disabilities to demonstrate their talents through small businesses and online shops.
From home-baked cakes to contemporary paintings, here are some PWD-owned small businesses that we should continue to support.
Independent Living Learning Centre – Treasure Shop
The Independent Living Learning Centre (ILLC) is an educational institution that caters to the special needs of children, adolescents, and young adults with developmental disabilities.
To further show its support to children and adults with disabilities, they’ve opened their very own treasure shop. You can support this PWD-owned small business by purchasing handwoven and eco-friendly items like table linen and dining chair accessories, pencil cases, men’s T-shirts, hand-beaded face mask lanyards, and more.
Shop here.
Bodickpaints
“A special kid who has a special place for art in his heart."
Bodickpaints is a PWD-owned small business that features the works of Bodick Quintela, an artist who draws people and animals, and sometimes creates cut-out paper buildings and clay. These artful activities have helped him find peace and also continue to enhance his creative skills since the day he was introduced to canvas and acrylic paint.
Bodick’s online shop offers cash on delivery and you can choose among contemporary art pieces that range from P10,000 to P25,000 each.
Shop here.
Special Hands by Nina
This PWD small business is owned by Nina, a 24-year-old female international artist with autism. She was able to successfully hold various exhibits at the United Nations and the Philippine Consulate in New York, Macau, and the Philippines. She is also a supporter of the REACH Foundation based in Mandaluyong.
As an artist, she uses acrylic watercolor charcoal, and colored pencils to create her products. Some of her artworks you can find online are a Mickey Mouse acrylic painting and a Pooh & Piglet wooden jewelry box.
Other items you can purchase are zippered 3-in-1 travel bags, abaca bags with different designs, and waterproof stickers.
Shop here.
Jana Atbp.
Jana Atbp. is a PWD-owned small business featuring the works of Jana, an artist with Down syndrome. According to the online shop, Jana’s “extra chromosome is what makes her so adorable and huggable.”
For P1,500, you can choose among Jana’s abstract paintings on canvas, some of which are labeled as “Bedtime Story,” “Children’s Play,” “Kalesa,” “Butterfly Catching,” “Party at the Garden,” and more.
Shop here.
CL Creates
An online shop managed by Chindee Cruz, a profoundly deaf person who is passionate about arts and crafts. This PWD-owned small business creates decorative products ideal for any occasion or event that’ll surely delight your loved ones.
CL Creates offers party balloons, mini dried flower bouquets, customized giveaway goodie cups, and other party crafts.
Shop here.
Hand&Heart Shoppe
Hand & Heart is a social enterprise founded by Gen Diokno, a deaf person who used her personal struggles as her inspiration. She established a community that helps PWDs grow and create their own future.
They’ve opened this small business that sells fragrances for men and women, paintings, and personalized Hand&Heart mugs.
Shop here.
Madia’s Homebaked Cakes
Madia's Homebaked Cakes is managed by Dianne Salazar, a patisserie chef who opened her own PWD small business in 2017 after she graduated on a Tech-Voc course on Bread and Pastry.
Apart from creating aesthetically pleasing and scrumptious cakes, cupcakes, and pastries, Madia’s Homebaked Cakes also offers customized cakes for special occasions for only P1,000.
Shop here.
