Philippines mission 2011

Philippines Mission 2011

I have found that among its other benefits, giving

liberates the soul of the giver. Maya Angelou

Day 1 – CLMMR HospitalBacolod City

• Our first stop CLMMR Hospital in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental – a sign announcing our mission.

• We traveled in some interesting vehicles. This was a crazy jeepnee ride that the Jo was loving

Bacolod City (cont’d)

• The hospital bed “graveyard”

• I think this was a shocking site for all of us but was good preparation for what we would see inside the hospital

Bacolod City (cont’d)

• The tour of the Bacolod Hospital was an eye opener. Filthy, overcrowded, no modern equipment, very old beds, the layout promotes infection – in fact, you wonder how anyone survives getting care in this hospital

(taken from Urban Angels blog)

• The only photo I took in the hospital – I just could not bring myself to capture it on film – too sad

***Please donate Vitamins***

• Preparing for the next week and a half of mission work

• Separating vitamins and pains medications into 30 (had to ration again ½ way through the mission to 15 per patient)

And our work begins….

Bacolod City (cont’d)

• We had a great group of student nurses with us at the hospital in Bacolod City – hard to say goodbye to them

• A small part of the waiting line – no air conditioning

Bacolod City (cont’d)

• One of the many beautiful children we met during our two days of mission work at the hospital

• This man was so grateful to have his family seen by the medical team

Don Salvador Benedicto, Negros Occidental

• More forms of transportation – the back of a pick up truck

• Our fearless leader Zenny Gepilano in the pink hat

• The crowd has already started by the time we arrive

Don Salvador Benedicto (cont’d)

• Patients receive a number to be seen

• The crowd is 300-400 deep before we even begin

• We are in the country seeing many farmers – men and women. Many of them illiterate

• Most have never seen a doctor

Don Salvador Benedicto (cont’d)

• A view from inside the open air arena we worked in for the day

• The people are lovely and incredibly patient as they wait hours to be seen

Don Salvador Benedicto (cont’d)

• My mom (the Jo) comes with us on this outreach (she usually spends her time in the operating room at the hospital) and it is unbelievable to see her in action. She is an incredible nurse who thinks outside the box – and no nonsense. I could not have been more proud to call her “Mom” than I was on this day.

Don Salvador Benedicto (cont’d)

• People are brought in by the truck load (literally)

• We ask how they let the driver know they want off and Zenny explains they pound on the side of the truck

• Look at how happy they are as they waive good-bye – WOW!

Don Salvador Benedicto (cont’d)

• The people are absolutely beautiful – so grateful…

• You see the light in their eyes and start to wonder if we have it right here in North America ??

Don Salvador Benedicto (cont’d)

• A range in age from young child to elderly

• They both loved having their photo taken and you can see the “light” I speak of….

• These people are truly happy.

Talisay, Negros Occidental

• This was the most difficult day of our mission work

• An indoor sports arena – no air conditioning to speak of and really long lines

• Some members of our team

Talisay, Negros Occidental (cont’d)

• 1,200 people standing in line to see a doctor or to get eyeglasses. Mamas holding babies, little kids, the elderly, the infirm. None of the patients have any money to see a doctor or to arrange an operation

Talisay, Negros Occidental (cont’d)

• Another happy, beautiful child

• Rob Fox – one of our new Canadian friends is trained on blood glucose today and look at that poor man – afraid for his finger – LOL!!

Talisay, Negros Occidental (cont’d)

• All the clothes, shoes, household items and toys you so generously donated begin to be handed out today

• The people are absolutely delighted as is our team

• Another new friend Graham is the happiest I have seen him on this day as he hands out bags of goodies – How rewarding!

• Small parts of the mission stay with you and the happiness in the people receiving items and in our own team members handing them out was palpable - it was incredible to watch

• THANK YOU to each and every one of you!!

Talisay, Negros Occidental (cont’d)

• Here is a young family who received a Barbie on a bike – the lights and sound still working – it was amazing to watch the young girl who received it share with her entire “community”

Talisay, Negros Occidental (cont’d)

• More grateful patients waving goodbye at the end of another long day

• More back of a truck transportation but we get to stand for this one – WHOA!

Talisay, Negros Occidental (cont’d)

• The vehicles come in all sizes and shapes

• Little to no pollution control and it is rare to see a stop light or sign but we never see any road rage – hmmm?

Silay, Negros Occidental

• The crowd looks huge but this is the best day we have

• The most organized and best washrooms

• When the day is over – we have seen 2100 patients!

Silay, Negros Occidental(cont’d)

• Such a successful day the team lets loose in a karaoke bar in the middle of nowhere – it was a great night!

• We have limited transportation back to the buses but find a ride in the back of a minivan with the hatch open – transportation in any form

Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental

• We travel for 5 hours by bus – leaving our hotel at 3am

• I make a new friend and so does my sister Trish – she just fell in love with this lady

Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental(cont’d)

• More donations are given away and this time it is set up like a store – so much fun for the people to come through and pick out an item or two

• This little girl took a piece of Canada home with her – a beaver with a maple leaf on its foot – smile!

Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental(cont’d)

• Our official photographer leaves early to set up a party on the beach for the team and I am asked to fill in – lumps and bumps – I make it through two procedures and then hand the duties over to my sister – she is the Jo’s daughter – not I

• Our favourite new friend Margaret has found herself a little treasure

Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental(cont’d)

• We all end up smitten with this little doll

• She puts on quite a show for us and just loves having her photo taken

Hinoba-an, Negros Occidental(cont’d)

• Our work is done and so we hand out the remaining toothpaste and other items to the families waiting around at the end of they day

• What a journey it has been

Iloilo, Western Visayas

• We thought our work was done but happen upon this accident on our way to Boracay – first on scene

• One man was killed instantly and three others were severely injured

• The team jumped into action – I was in awe

Iloilo, Western Visayas (cont’d)• There was no consideration of the

serious risk from the broken glass or a lack of protective gloves; only the immediate need of people whom we didn’t know in a country where we were only visitors

• Two doctors and a nurse continued to stabilize and monitor the three patients as they raced down the highway toward a small county hospital – a hospital we will visit next year on the mission

(taken from Urban Angels Blog)This was the work of true URBAN ANGELS!

Boracay, Western Visayas• This is our last day with our

team• Trish and I spend 6 hours

purchasing pearls and really get to know our new Filipino friends….they were the most difficult to say goodbye to

• Here they are with our own WONDER WOMAN Margaret putting on a show for all of us

• I feel enriched beyond words – Thanks to all our new friends for your camaraderie and our old ones for all your support and encouragement. See you in 2012!