Summary of GABAY (Guide) Year 4 Annual Performance Report

(July 2022 - June 2023)

The Gabay (Guide) project, a joint initiative between Resources for the Blind, Inc. (RBI) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), continued its mission in Year 4 (July 2022 - June 2023) to bolster inclusive education for Blind, Deaf, and Deafblind children in its focus sites: Batangas, Sorsogon, and Maasin/Southern Leyte. The project aimed to broaden access to quality education, enhance reading skills among learners, and amplify local government focus on the needs of children with sensorial disabilities (CSDs).

Year 4 marked significant achievements across all three Intermediate Results (IRs) and demonstrated substantial progress towards Life of Project targets. Under IR1 (Improved Enrollment), intensive Community Health Worker (CHW) trainings and screening activities led to over 300 children screened and referred, contributing to a notable increase in the enrollment of CSDs in Gabay-covered schools, tripling the baseline figures.

IR2 (Improved Reading Performance) concentrated on targeted capacity building for teachers and parents, including specialized training for those supporting children with Deafblindness and Multiple Disabilities with Visual Impairment (MDVI), FSL mentorship, development and production of accessible learning materials (like FSL stories and a Braille Reading Assessment Tool), and critical assessment activities including the Braille Reading Assessment pre/post tests and the EGRA Endline Evaluation for Deaf learners. IR3 (Improved Local Government Attention) yielded concrete results through partnerships with Synergeia Foundation focusing on Local School Boards (LSBs), leading to increased awareness, planning for resource allocation, and the formal inauguration of Hearing/Audiological Test Centers (H/ATCs) and Inclusive Education Community Resource Centers (IECRCs/ILRCs).

Despite these accomplishments, the project continued to navigate challenges, such as adapting to the return to face-to-face classes while maintaining safety protocols, managing changes in local leadership, and addressing persistent resource gaps in some areas.

The collective efforts of the RBI Gabay Team, anchored by consistent leadership and supported by dedicated financial management, specialized expertise, and crucial field coordination, were fundamental to the project's ability to deliver substantial results, navigate challenges, and build strong partnerships in Year 4. Their adaptability and commitment ensured that inclusive education services and resources reached children with sensorial disabilities despite ongoing operational complexities.

In summary, Year 4 successfully consolidated the gains of the Gabay project, exceeding many key performance indicators and laying strong foundations for sustainability. This was made possible by the dedicated, adaptive, and specialized work of the RBI Gabay Team, whose collective efforts and strategic partnerships were central to the project's impactful final year and its readiness for a potential extension.