Little steps bring great rewards in helping the disabled

“WE just have to do our little share and great things will happen.”

These are the words of 71-year-old Fr. Luke Moortgat, a foreign missionary who has spent half his life in the Philippines.

Five million Filipinos are physically handicapped, according to Catholic Handicapped Development, and Father Moortgat organizes initiatives, events and meetings for people with disabilities all year round.

Every Saturday this February is dedicated to them, with a different challenge highlighted each week.

Last Saturday, February 4, was named Catholic Blind Day and about 100 people – many more than expected – attended a congress which tackled what individuals, society, church and the government can do to help the visually impaired.

The group looked at Father Moortgat’s idea of the One Percent Movement, where volunteers spend one percent of their time, or an average of 15 minutes a day, on helping others.

Ways and means for establishing a database of blind people, creating jobs and utilizing the support of the Church were also discussed at the congress.

“The first need is vocational training,” Father Moortgat said. “Not enough finish secondary education.” More blind people should be in high school, or even elementary level, he said.

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