PROJECT ABRA DE ILOG: 2011 MED MISSION #4
Another medical mission to our Mangyan brothers and sisters in Barangay Udalo, Abra de Ilog in Mindoro was conducted by Lifeline Foundation under directors Jose Luis Gonzalez and Candace Schmidt-Gonzalez on June 12, 2011. The Mangyans are people who are in most need of attention and care–they lack even the most basic of necessities- food, decent shelter, clothing, medical help, education, etc. And so, every time they hear about medical missions and relief in their area, they would set to go down from the highlands to the site regardless of the hours-long walk ahead. Most of them have no idea how old they are; what day/month/year we are currently in; where to secure food or clean clothing; where to get the right nutrition for their kids (the babies especially), where to get medicines (some of them are really sick and the kids were malnourished) and how to plan their families. Most of them, too, are illiterate so when it came right down to giving them their medicines, we had to show them drawings of the sun and moon and a teaspoon/tablespoon so they would understand the dosage and when to take them.
Despite their situation, the Mangyans are good-natured; they don’t seem to be greedy for gain, and they are quite disciplined–traits that are sometimes very difficult to see in many of the lowlanders and city dwellers.
As for the Lifeline Foundation Team, despite the late-night travel and the rain showers, the loyal and new volunteers made up of doctors, nurses, students, and people from different walks of life who want to make a difference served a total of about 500 men, women, and children from the Mangyan community who are under the leadership of Konsehal Minerva of Barangay Udalo, Abra de Ilog, Occidental Mindoro.
The thankful Mangyans were given medical and dental check-up, medicines and vitamins, as well as clothes, sardines, and other basic necessities. Once again, thanks to all the people who took part in this endeavor by donating used clothes, blankets, slippers, etc., as well as to the companies who partnered with us in making this mission another Mission Possible: YOUR HELP IS GOING A LONG WAY.
One of our first-time volunteers celebrated her birthday by volunteering on this mission, and she agreed with all the others who said that the satisfaction, sense of purpose, and camaraderie volunteering brings is matchless. Another of our new volunteers said, “When you see them and hear their stories, you would realize how small and incomparable your worries are; and then you will be able to further appreciate the things you have now–and hopefully you’ll always be thankful for the littlest blessing you receive. The experience proved to be tiring but very rewarding. Honestly, I joined the activity to just have a clean break from the stressful events in my life. But at the end of the day, the Mangyans reminded me of a valuable lesson–life is short. Sometimes our resources are scarce, the future looks dim and we feel like giving up, but God’s hands are always there in various forms, in ways we never thought possible and that no matter how hard life is, we are still overly BLESSED”.
So, to all who want to be part of the solution, come and join us make a difference to the world around us.
Stay tuned for details of our next medical missions in 2011 and partner with us.
We’d love to hear from you! You may send us an email at info@ineedalifeline.org or call us at 836.25.14.