Eunice Love Letada is the 3rd. child in the brood of four of Ely and Letecia Letada. The mother of Eunice have a small sari-sari store in their house while her father is a carpenter before , became bed ridden and died a year ago while Eunice is undergoing re-training in the center.
Eunice was born prematurely (7months) through normal delivery on February 24, 1991. After birth, she struggled with surviving and was diagnosed with blood infection.
As she was growing older, it was noticed that there are some abnormalities in her right ear, resulting to profound loss of hearing. Her left ear also had mild abnormalities however, one may need to talk to her in a louder voice. She also has difficulty in walking and using her right hand because of her cerebral palsy. Eunice is categorized as one with multiple disability because of deafness and cerebral palsy.
Despite her situation, Eunice was able to finish 2nd year high school in Lagro, Quezon City. When she was in 3rd. year high school, Eunice got bullied which resulted to her being afraid to go to school. Unfortunately, she never got her confidence back thus, she never returned to finish her high school.
One day, a friend with hearing impairment informed her about NVRC in 2012. She first underwent vocational training in the center and took up food management course and graduated in March 2013. However, because of her limitations, her knowledge and skills weren’t enough for her to get employed easily.
With perseverance, Eunice was able to work at Happee Toothpaste after a year. However, it did not last for long due to the distance of the company from their home and her limitations in commuting. In early 2017, Eunice underwent training at Grain Foundation along Cosmetology course for three months. Upon knowing that NVRC also has a cosmetology course, she got interested to re-train in the Center to enhance her skills.
Come November 20, 2017, Eunice started again as a trainee in the Center. She was observed to be having difficulty in assimilating all the topics, but she has shown diligence in her training as she always show her best to cope up. She is very courteous and is very willing to assist her co-trainees who need help.
Her struggles started when she went on with her Vocational training because she has limited mobility in her hands due to her cerebral palsy. Her instructor observed that Eunice gets nervous during demonstration activities, yet she shows strong interest in every activity. She can performed well with supervision especially in handling tools and materials.
When she was about to start her on the job training, the training team of NVRC experienced some difficulties in finding her a possible OJT site because of her mobility. It was only fortunate that a salon near their place accepted her as a trainee.
During her OJT, her skills in applying hair color and foot spa service were enhanced. She was evaluated with good performance and was adviced to continue practicing her skills at home while applying for several jobs. Eunice took a chance to apply at Posh Nails. Posh Nails, however, expressed that they encountered difficulties in training Eunice since half of her body has cerebral palsy. She also has difficulties in handling tools which may cause a burden as Posh Nails’ primary services is massage spa and nail cleaning, manicure, and pedicure. Posh Nails offered to train her more, however, Eunice decided to stop.
Her case was reported to the Placement Service of NVRC and it happened that there is a corporation named Grupo Uvero, Inc. who wants to hire Persons with Disabilities and Eunice Love was one of the identified graduates. She was first employed at a probationary status at Nail it Salon in Fishermall, Quezon City and when her skills were enhanced in foot spa service, she was transferred to Kitchen Nails Trinoma Branch in Quezon City.
Eunice continuously performs well in her work as a scrub personnel in Kitchen Nails’ foot spa service. Presently, she’s receiving a minimum salary, daily allowance, commissions, and tips. Eunice is now working in the said salon as a regular employee, complete with all mandatory benefits and contributions.
Eunice Love is considered as one of the successful trainees in the center because despite of her disabilities, the several discouragements from others, and her being a two-timer trainee in the Center, she has found the right skills that she can use and develop to earn money, get employed, and self-sustain. ###
From the reports of: Yolith C. Galicha,Social Welfare Officer II, NVRC