A New lease in life
Criselda is one of our sponsored children. She is one of the 10 siblings in the Arcibal Family. Her 4 year old sister passed away one Saturday midnight from pneumonia. All they had was used plywood to make a coffin for the child. Her dad looked beaten from this and her mom looked worn out from crying. Her 2 younger sisters are in a hospital in Kalibo for the same reason. One is deathly ill, having complications with pneumonia and severe gastroenteritis. Her 4 year old sister was buried last Saturday. We provided some materials to build a cemetery plot. Criselda and her other 2 sisters were also diagnosed with pneumonia. Anita took them to the clinic, got x- ray and medicines. She will have to take them back to the doctor for re-exam. Their house was flattened by the storm. We are now planning to build them a new home with the assistance of the community. I went there one night and found the kids eating rice and salt as that is the only thing they have. We have been sending meals after that.
I went to the hospital this morning to visit the 2 other sisters that were hospitalized and found out that the 3 year old passed away early this morning and the 2 year old needs blood transfusion. The family is just in such deep pain that they cannot think anymore. They do not know what to do anymore.
There were no type A+ blood available in Kalibo area so I have been calling all over the place to look for blood. Anita went to get her blood type at the clinic and she was a match.
Anita and I visited Criselda's sister at the hospital. She is 2 years old but she looked so frail due to a pneumonia and severe malnutrition. Public hospital in the Philippines can be so taxing to the families of the patient. The hospital basically provides the nurses and doctors but the families are responsible for providing what the patients need: medicines, needles, sutures, cotton balls, alcohols, etc. If the families cannot provide the much needed medical items then the doctors will not easily provide the medical care. Poor families then would have to run around to secure funding so that they can buy whatever is needed by the doctors. When you do have the funds, there is not a one stop pharmacy that carries all the supplies. I had to run at least 12 times in the span of 4 hours to get supplies for them. This is very hard.
The baby is now safe and blood was transfused. She is now at home. All medical bills are paid.
We have rebuilt their house that the storm Yolanda destroyed. I invited the community to participate in the building project. They now have their home back.
The Arcibal family thank you guys for providing financial assistance during their time of need. It was so tough for them to bury 2 children within the span of 2 weeks, have a child in the critical stage at the hospital and lose their house due to storm at the same time. You folks have given them hope.
I went to the hospital this morning to visit the 2 other sisters that were hospitalized and found out that the 3 year old passed away early this morning and the 2 year old needs blood transfusion. The family is just in such deep pain that they cannot think anymore. They do not know what to do anymore.
There were no type A+ blood available in Kalibo area so I have been calling all over the place to look for blood. Anita went to get her blood type at the clinic and she was a match.
Anita and I visited Criselda's sister at the hospital. She is 2 years old but she looked so frail due to a pneumonia and severe malnutrition. Public hospital in the Philippines can be so taxing to the families of the patient. The hospital basically provides the nurses and doctors but the families are responsible for providing what the patients need: medicines, needles, sutures, cotton balls, alcohols, etc. If the families cannot provide the much needed medical items then the doctors will not easily provide the medical care. Poor families then would have to run around to secure funding so that they can buy whatever is needed by the doctors. When you do have the funds, there is not a one stop pharmacy that carries all the supplies. I had to run at least 12 times in the span of 4 hours to get supplies for them. This is very hard.
The baby is now safe and blood was transfused. She is now at home. All medical bills are paid.
We have rebuilt their house that the storm Yolanda destroyed. I invited the community to participate in the building project. They now have their home back.
The Arcibal family thank you guys for providing financial assistance during their time of need. It was so tough for them to bury 2 children within the span of 2 weeks, have a child in the critical stage at the hospital and lose their house due to storm at the same time. You folks have given them hope.
EH ?...
We started a new program for graduating high school kids called EH, (Expanding Horizons. I know it sound so Canadian). Many of these kids have never gone out past their immediate vicinity and so we thought that it would be beneficial for them to see the big city of Manila. They will be able to explore the country’s historical past and also see, feel and touch the latest technologies, big buildings, universities, museums, malls and bright lights of metropolitan; things that they have only seen on tv or read in books. Our intent is to give them an opportunity to dream big dreams and to see many possibilities that can be available for them.
Part of the exercise is to fund raise for the trip. Caroling was one of them. So we practiced English songs that they were not familiar with.
I saw fear in them the first time they walked out of the vehicle to sing at a resort. They came, sang and conquered their fears. We sang at D'mall which is a large tourist area and they did it well. They enjoyed it so much that they wouldn't stop. Our 5 day caroling had provided enough money for our transportation costs and for some other expenses. We still need to raise $250 to meet our budget for this trip. A friend from Manila heard about this program and is allowing us to use her condo for our accommodation. We are blessed by so many wonderful people that commit themselves in making a difference in others.
What a proud and inspiring moment for all of us to see these kids slowly come out of their comfort zones.
Part of the exercise is to fund raise for the trip. Caroling was one of them. So we practiced English songs that they were not familiar with.
I saw fear in them the first time they walked out of the vehicle to sing at a resort. They came, sang and conquered their fears. We sang at D'mall which is a large tourist area and they did it well. They enjoyed it so much that they wouldn't stop. Our 5 day caroling had provided enough money for our transportation costs and for some other expenses. We still need to raise $250 to meet our budget for this trip. A friend from Manila heard about this program and is allowing us to use her condo for our accommodation. We are blessed by so many wonderful people that commit themselves in making a difference in others.
What a proud and inspiring moment for all of us to see these kids slowly come out of their comfort zones.
New Hope...
Joel is a 14 year old boy that is in grade 5. His teacher is having a tough time with him as he is still unable to read basic words. We spent some time with Joel along with several kids and taught them how to read during lunch breaks. His teacher talked to us the other day, her voice breaking as if she is going to cry. Joel can read now, she exclaimed proudly, and he can understand what he reads.
She thanked us for the work that was done. The other kids are not that far behind in honing their reading skills. We are proud of what they have accomplished.
Joel is now trying to help his other friends and encouraging them to learn to read as well.
She thanked us for the work that was done. The other kids are not that far behind in honing their reading skills. We are proud of what they have accomplished.
Joel is now trying to help his other friends and encouraging them to learn to read as well.
