Nothing is impossible with a determined heart and a stalwart support system.

This could not be more true for student-athlete Rica’s gold medal finish at the 2024 Caraga Regional Athletic Games held last May 5 to 10.

The 20-year-old Rica, despite her intellectual disability, proved that her determination knows no bounds as she won first place at the Special Games in the 4×100-meter relay in her regional run and earned her ticket to the highly-anticipated Palarong Pambansa 2024 in July.

At the height of her victory, Rica was not the lone winner, but also the Home for Girls (HFG).

The HFG located in Caraga Valley is a residential care facility managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office-Caraga, which has long been her source of strength and support.

The HFG-Caraga is among the DSWD residential care facilities nationwide, providing shelter, education, and livelihood programs for children who are victims of abuse, neglect, abandonment, as well as those with special needs.

Rica, as one of the 24 residents of HFG- Caraga has been provided with not just a roof over her head, but a family-like community committed to extending every means to facilitate her growth, healing and overall welfare.

Taking the role of a family to Rica, the center ensured that her daily needs and her right to education were met over the years, particularly as she is a member of the Persons with Disabilities sector.

Among the different interventions accorded by the HFG to Rica, recreational activities such as sports festivals and summer camps, benefited her the most and served as a platform that eventually honed her potential in the field of sports.

This potential over time met appropriate training and guidance supervised and coordinated by the staff of the DSWD center.

By the time she joined the regional sports competition in Prosperidad, Agusan Del Sur, Rica was in her top shape and her desire of winning was already in action.

“I really focused on my running…until I was finally able to reach the finish line. It felt good because I was able to run, do the relay, and other things,” Rica shared in her local dialect as she recalled her winning moment.

As Rica’s talent shone, her victory was more than just a personal achievement—it is a testament to the transformative power of love, support, and inclusion all extended by HFG. These also gave her the avenue to find and maximize her abilities.

Marissa Garay, the center head of HFG, reflected on the importance of a supportive environment in honing young people, like Rica, to become productive members of society.

“Here in HFG, we focus on the abilities and strengths of the children so that we can become a bridge to help them overcome challenges that they have experienced,” HFG Center Head Garay shared in her local dialect.

The DSWD center head also expressed pride over Rica’s achievement, citing inspiration may be drawn from her story and foster positive impact to her co-residents.

“Rica has not only won the gold medal but has become an inspiration to the residents in participating and in discovering their fullest potential,” Center Head Garay said.

While Rica is set to face a bigger challenge at the Palarong Pambansa 2024, the household care community behind her anticipates that she will perform well and effortlessly showcase her talent.

This confidence comes from the training and preparations that are in place, including the staggering performance of a resident who also participated in the Palarong Pambansa 2023, serving as the needed push for Rica to achieve or surpass the feat.

Last year, a visually-impaired student-athlete from the same center clinched a silver medal in the 200-meter run.

Shortly followed by Rica’s performance in regional play-ins this year, the two student-athletes’ stories reflect the nurturing environment of the residential care facility and collective dedication of its caregivers.

Their similar narratives also serve as inspiration to their fellow HFG residents, proving that anything is possible for people with disabilities, even more as their perseverance is met by a compassionate support system.

The HFG of the DSWD is primarily a residential treatment facility for girl-children, aged 7 to below 18 years old, who have been removed from their families due to sexual abuse or exploitation and have been taken custody by the state.

The comprehensive program of treatment and rehabilitation of the center includes psychotherapy techniques through formal and informal education, music, arts, social interaction, spiritual and recreational activities. #