MEDIA RELEASE
Released By:
Gallus
Australian aid is improving the lives of hearing impaired youths in the
Philippines, the Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Mrs Chris Gallus,
said today in Quezon City.
'Youths are taught valuable workplace skills such as business
arithmetic, effective oral and written communication and time management,'
Mrs Gallus said.
'Since 2003, the Australian Government has supported important
employment skills training and work placements for deaf and mute youths in the
Philippines.
'The Program has placed more than 50 hearing impaired youths in jobs,
ranging from the Office of the President to fast food restaurants.
'Given that ninety-five percent of the trainees are from families living
on the poverty line, the Program is making a real difference to their
lives,' Mrs Gallus said.
'The program also encourages employers to remove barriers to enable
people with disabilities realise their potential in the workplace.
'This year, Australian overseas aid to the Philippines of more than
AUD$60 million, is improving basic education, health and local government
services.
'Australian aid is also supporting peace building, conflict resolution
and post-conflict recovery efforts in Mindanao,' Mrs Gallus said.
The Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs is in Manila to represent
Australia at the Second Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Forum for East
Asia-Latin America Cooperation.
Media contacts:
Shane Fairlie (Office of Mrs Gallus) 02 6277 4840 or 0408 680 442
Jo Elsom (AusAID) 02 6206 4960 or 0412 804 489