ABOUT US

WALK traces its beginnings in 2008 when then Rotary Club President-classmates Ed Escaño (Rotary Club of Forbes Park) and Megs Lunn (Rotary Club of Kalibo) collaborated on a project to assist a 12 year-old boy from the Municipality of Madalag, Province of Aklan, Philippines. Born with congenital deformities, Arnel Ropero did not have any legs. Through linkages with doctors and various socio-civic and charitable organizations, the project provided Arnel with prosthetic legs. This dramatically changed his life not only by giving him mobility, but also hope for a brighter future.

The overwhelming success of the project caught the attention of members of the Rotary Club of Forbes Park who hailed the project and encouraged then President Ed Escaño to continue and pursue the project beyond his term. Thus, Project WALK was born. In 2010, the project was formally organized and a legal outfit was incorporated with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission known as WISHES OF AID AND LIMBS FOR KIDS (WALK), INC. In 2025, the company renamed itself WALK NOW Center, Inc.

Over the years, requests for assistance to help provide prosthetic limbs to children and adults alike, poured in. After 16 years of service, WALK has impacted the lives of over 300 individuals through the provision of artificial limbs. These prosthetics have likewise changed the lives of hundreds as it provided them the opportunity to be productive members of society.

WALK has gone beyond providing artificial limbs. Capitalizing on the worldwide reach of Rotary clubs, WALK was able to secure grants that bore long term support and impact for Persons With Disabilities. These include donation of an infrared oven that manufacture the prosthetics, and the customization of a mobile prosthetic van that goes around the island of Mindanao catering to the prosthetic requirements of amputees.

Project WALK continues to be a signature project of the Rotary Club of Forbes Park, R.I. District 3830. It has expanded its partners in service through the various rotary clubs all over the world, as well as distinguished international charitable organizations.