A team effort worth emulating

MIGALLOS AND DE GUZMAN. Their group serves deaf and disadvantaged women and children.

Quota international was founded in 1919 by Sarah Facuir and her friends in Buffallo, New York. Its mission is to serve deaf and disadvantaged women and children. It also gives scholarships to the School for the Deaf in Pasay City.

Hearing aids

My colleague, Lou de Guzman, is the new president of Quota International Manila. Lou joined the group in 1988 after retiring from ADB. Its outgoing president is lawyer Babsie Migallos, while its charter governor is Dr. Nelly Ledesma, who recently donated P50,000 worth of hearing aids. Quota International is also active in Europe, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Singapore.

In the Philippines, the projects of the group, which now has 37 members, are a team effort. It encourages women to be self-sufficient by growing malunggay (moringa). In partnership with Splash Foundation, it conducts lectures that teach women about hygiene and train them to do make-up and hairdressing. Their other livelihood programs: Meat processing, quilt-making and technology transfer.

What makes Lou tick? Her desiderata: She gives more than she takes. She believes in kindness, fairness, frankness, honesty and sincerity. She’s always willing to meet halfway to resolve conflicts. And, most importantly, for Lou, laughter is the best medicine!

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