Group reaches out to those in the greatest of need

For many years, the Catholic Handicapped Development has devoted time and effort to uplifting the lives of the most unfortunate members of society.

Members reach out not just to the handicapped, but also to those with multiple disabilities, the most needy, most forgotten, and those in deepest misery like the mentally ill, terminally ill, and the street families.

The group is a main component of the Episcopal Commission on Health Care under the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and is incorporated under the name Handicapped Development Inc., as a non-stock, non-profit catholic organization."Our mission is to help those who are in the greatest need and for whom we have the least services," said Fr. Luke Moortgat, CICM, founding member and executive director,

Fondly known as "Fr. Luke," Moortgat is a former chaplain and professor of statistics and computer programming at the De La Salle University in Manila.His group organizes symposiums and conventions to increase public awareness and understanding as well as plan activities for people in need, especially those with progressive diseases and those dying on the streets.

They offer free graduate level special education courses in various universities of the country as well as organize free sign language classes that are practically free of charge. For the blind, they have made Braille reading materials for students well as adults, even if they are expensive to produce. The Handicapped Center Lourdes inside the Caritas Compound in Pandacan, Manila, which was established in 1994 upon the request of the late Jaime Cardinal Sin, cares for multi-handicapped and abandoned multi-handicapped children.

"We bring to these unfortunate children the personal love of Jesus Christ and allow them to enjoy the right to a minimum standard of living," Moortgat said.Employment for the handicapped is also a main concern. Moortgat started about 15 years ago a program at college level for the deaf at the College of St. Benilde of De La Salle University.

It is now run by the university itself and the La Salle Brothers greatly contribute to scholarships for almost all of the 100 deaf students.They likewise address the needs of many street families, from newborn babies to the dying elderly. With various activities as job training, free medical consultations, they try to empower the street families.

No dole-outs. "Solve the causes" is their principle.Moortgat said it is much cheaper to train persons with disabilities to be self-supporting. They use cheap methods so that they can reach many people.

"It is our goal that after receiving what we have shared, these people will not only be self-supporting, but will likewise in turn, share with others," he said. "The current economic crisis has made it difficult as many companies have no funds to donate. Yet the children cannot wait." For more information and for those who would like to extend assistance to the handicapped and underprivileged members of society, the office of Fr. Luke Moortgat can be reached at 521-5876 or 521-0827 (telfax) or call/text 09202113425.