YSEALI Alumnus Continues to Help Those in Need: COVID-19 in the Philippines
by Nicholas Hampton, Multimedia Project Specialist, UConn Global Affairs
YSEALI alumnus and founder of AccessiWheels disability service in Quezon City, Philippines Miggy Bautista is doing his part to get people with disabilities where they need to be during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Boutista was part of the ninth group of YSEALI students hosted and administered by UConn’s Global Training and Development Institute (GTDI).
Boutista received the $500 grant from UConn that all YSEALI participants have the chance to apply for by formally submitting their business proposals. He will be using the funds to build a food based add on to his business employing people with disabilities.
His company, Accessi Wheels, enables people with mobility problems by connecting customers to trained drivers with accessible vehicles, and they’re continuing their efforts through the virus.
“We salute the brave and good hearted Partner Volunteer Drivers who are on Frontline and service to our regular hospital patients this #COVID19 situation!” posted Accessi Wheels on Facebook.
The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines shared Bautista’s work with their community of over half a million Facebook followers.
“During the suspension of public transportation as part of the Enhanced Community Quarantine to address #COVID19, Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative alumnus and AccessiWheels Founder Miggy Bautista are helping patients get to their regular medical appointments, such as dialysis and therapy, by connecting them to a network of volunteer drivers with personal vehicles,” the Embassy said on their Facebook page.
The U.S. government has provided approximately $18.3 million in emergency health and humanitarian assistance to ASEAN Member States since the outbreak began, according to the State Department website.
For more information on the YSEALI Initiative and U.S. for ASEAN in fighting COVID-19 visit the United States of America Department of State U.S. Mission to ASEAN.