Last July 31, 2025, the School of Business Administration & Accountancy (SBAA) and School of Information Technology (SIT) of the University of Baguio joined forces for a meaningful outreach program titled “Click and Connect: Growing VIPPD Businesses Through Social Media.”
This initiative focused on empowering the Visually Impaired Positive and Progressive Dreamers (VIPPD) by teaching them how to harness the power of digital platforms to promote their handmade products, expand their market reach, and eventually boost their income.
🚀 What We Achieved So Far:
- A dedicated social media page was successfully created for VIPPD
- Faculty members, staff, and the students of the SBAA and SIT actively engaged with the page to help grow its au0dience.
- The Junior Association for Marketing Executives (JAME) created and posted promotional materials for the organization to help advertise its products
- Plans for a bottle donation initiative were set in motion to support the group’s raw material needs.
- Despite delays caused by bad weather, faculty and student collaborations on marketing content are ongoing and full of potential!
💡 Beyond skills training, this outreach highlights the spirit of community, inclusion, and interdisciplinary collaboration—showcasing how technology and business education can uplift marginalized groups.
🎯 This project supports UN the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
- Goal No. 1 (No Poverty) – By equipping VIPPD with digital marketing skills, the initiative opens sustainable income opportunities, reducing financial vulnerability and helping uplift their quality of life.
- Goal No. 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) – Training empowers participants to engage in productive work, turning their craft into livelihood, and contributing to inclusive and sustainable economic growth.
- Goal No. 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) – The use of digital platforms demonstrates how innovation and accessible technology can serve as infrastructure for marginalized groups to enter broader markets.
- Goal No. 10 (Reduced Inequalities) – By addressing barriers faced by the visually impaired, the project promotes equal access to opportunities, reducing social and economic disparities.
- Goal No. 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) – Supporting local artisans contributes to vibrant, inclusive communities where marginalized groups actively participate in economic and cultural life.
- Goal No. 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) – Promoting handmade, locally crafted products encourages mindful consumerism, supporting sustainable and ethical production practices.
- Goal No. 13 (Climate Action) – The emphasis on handmade and small-scale production supports eco-friendly alternatives to mass-produced goods, contributing to lower environmental impact.
- Goal No. 17 (Partnerships) – This initiative highlights the power of collaboration among institutions, communities, and organizations in advancing inclusive, sustainable development.
This initiative marks only the beginning, as the partners remain committed to sustaining the collaboration and ensuring that VIPPD continues to receive the tools and support needed to thrive.
If you have used plastic bottles (500ml or 1L) that you want to dispose of, please don’t hesitate to message the page for donations! Like, share, and follow the VIPPD page for more updates and to continue supporting the local community!
