GSE team assists in Cebu with Medical Mission at D3860 Visayas Rotary Week

Now back in Cebu, the team was picked up at 7.15 am and taken to a Medical/Dental/Optical Mission of D3860 as part of the annual Visayas Rotary Week.
Each member of the team supported this amazing event by helping out as best they could, as  hundreds of under privileged families arrived for free medical, dental and optical attention. The Rotary District arranged for dentists, doctors, surgeons and child health specialists to attend all day to treat approximately 1000 people. All at no cost. Amazing and again Rotary at it's best.

Martin helping with the optical patients!

Kylie is a 'hit' with blood pressure checks!

Rebecca 'in the zone' and concentrating intently on her role helping sort the lists of people to be treated.

David with President Bernard Restificar of the Rotary Club of Cebu San Pedro, waiting for minor surgical procedures to begin.

Local children are fed as part of the Mission and happily 'pose' for the camera.

Part of this extraordinary experience was to observe a variety of minor surgical operations taking place in full public view and all at the same time!

In this picture, a large cyst is clearly evident on the inside of the leg, behind the knee. A local anesthetic was used to prepare for the cyst to be removed!

The cyst being removed!

Similiar operations were taking place on at least 8 or more beds in close proximity with bystanders, media and Rotarians watching on intently!
An incredible experience.

Pictured here is Marty and Bec being interviewed about the Group Study Exchange by UNTV, the main television station in Cebu which is affiliated throughout the Philippines and Asia. The producer suggested that the clip, to be aired this coming Tuesday 1st March, may even make the Aussie TV media!!

After a very busy Medical Mission the team was taken to a magnificent restaurant called 'Gustavins', where we were hosted for lunch by the Rotary Club of Cebu San Pedro.
Pictured here is the team with some of the Rotary club members: seated is President Bernard (with his wife and family) and AG Milagros 'Mila' Demecillo, a major Rotary Foundation  Donor.
A wonderful and most welcome lunch!
The team was then transferred to their next homestays to prepare for a very busy upcoming 3 days!! More soon.

GSE Team farewelled form Bohol amid tears, singing and lots of hugs!!

The  GSE team  farewelled by  the Tagbilaran Rotary Club : (LtoR back row):Alex, Tony, Ted, Victor, Baby, Martin, David, Bec, Kylie, Angie, Jasmine and Art (seated L to R) President Elect Peter Crowther, President Leonila 'Nila' Montero, Madam Dinah Ramiro, charter member, Dr Lou Ramiro, Ian and Mildred.

 

We now are 'adopted' and (very much honoured) 'Happy Little Bolholomites!!!

A very big thanks to  Assistant Governor  PP AG Baby  Banton  (left) and  President  Nila  Montero (right)  who made our stay and experiences so wondeful! Bravo all. Now back to Cebu!

Visit to 'Annette's Place', a small desolate village at, Dolji, Panglao.

As part of the ongoing humanitarian efforts of the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran, a regular commitment was made to assist this Dolji village and is another wonderful example of Rotary at it's best.
The team lead by President Nila Romero and Assistant DG Baby Bantol, work with all the villagers on health and hygiene issues, feed the children and give out health products.
Another main message is to encourage the parents to send their children to school to realise future opportunities.

 The children , as in all the communities we visited, were thoroughly delightful, polite and welcoming.

 Toilet facilities are are enormous problem in the village, with all just a 'hole in the ground'. Most of the small children just use the 'open air'!

 GSE members David Martin and Rebecca Rose helping to distribute toothpaste, brushes and face cloths.

During our visit, the GSE Team met Annette Fosgate. This incredible young lady was visiting the Philippines on holiday and somehow found herself visiting this village after hearing about it's poverty.
She decided to stay!  For 5 years!! This 28 year old made an extraordinary commitment, as she puts it, 'to make a small difference somewhere in the world'. She works and helps in the village for 11 months of each year, returning to her home in Montana, USA, once per year. She raises funds where ever she can to help the villagers. Annette, points out she not affiliated with any mainstream church but is a Christian and respects the spiritualty of all. She can be reached at:  simplefaithinministries@hotmail.com
Truly inspiring.

GSE Vocational Visits an 'eye opener' in Bohol, Central Visayas!!

 The team members looked forward to their first focused Vocational visits. The experiences were fascinating and clearly demonstrated that Australia is indeed, 'the lucky country'.
Visits to the Bohol Chronicle, Holy Name Grade School, three banks and meeting the Chief of Police and Chief of the Fire Department were highlights! The team will be following this up with an 4 additional vocation visits in the coming weeks in Cebu and Ormoc City.
Extraordinary perspectives are continuing to be realised by the team. The capacity to report on the cultural aspects of the Philippines and how this affects the processes and operation of their respective roles is being seen as growth promoting and insightful.

Above: Kylie Pitt (media photographer) addresses media students from Holy Name University.




Left: Kylie with proprietor and owner of the Bohol Chronicle, Peter P. Dejaresco.

Ian, addressing grade 5 students from Holy Name Grade School (that has over 900 students).
Principal, Dr Pricianos Legitmas explained that the Grade School is actually part of the Holy Name University which has over 9000 students from Kindergarten to University levels. The multi campus complex is run by The Fathers of the Society of the Divine Word, a German order of Catholic priests, with Fr Francisco Estepa, as president of the board.
The idea is that you enter kinder and proceed through infants, primary, secondary and University to eventually graduate with a law, medical, teaching, nursing, etc etc degree!!!! Quite innovative and extraordinary.

David visited three banks in Bohol, and is pictured here with Manager of the China Bank, Mr Rodney A. Lumuthong (right) and President Elect of the Rotary Club of Tagbilaran, Mr Peter Crowther.

 Armoured 'cash carters', Philippine style!!

Police Officer Rebecca Rose was a 'big hit' at the Tagbilaran Police HQ, posing with senior police officers.
As soon as this pic was taken the police media placed it on face book!!!

Our hosts especially arranged for Rebecca to meet the National Police Commission's top Provincial Police Officer of Bohol, Constantino V. Barot, Jr.
Many questions were raised about policing, it's processes, and the role that have women in the force. A very special and rare moment. (This pic has been placed in the Bohol Chronicle.)

Martin Crew receiving a Philippine Fire Brigade hat with Bohol's Fire Chief.

Two fire trucks (vintage but in working order) on standby!
Rosters are arranged on a basis of one day on, one day off- not something that would be popular in Australia!!

Traditional 'Mananita' birthday celebration -unexpected but deeply appreciated!

Team leader, Ian's birthday was celebrated in the traditional  'Mananita' Philippine way last Tuesday. However, the team and host families had 'hatched' a plan in secret the week before!! They arranged to be outside his bedroom door at 5am ready for a 'happy birthday', Filipino style!!
Stumbling out from a deep sleep from a loud knocking on the door, he was greeted by a large heart of flowers, candles, musicians and about 20 host family members singing happy birthday and other traditional songs!!! Shock set in!!
The team had to be up at 4 am to do this, as they were all in individual home stays...this surely is a new definition of 'commitment'!! (Bravo guys...very much appreciated).
The idea is to welcome in the new day with family and friends, watching the sun rise to celebrate the beginning of a new year! Breakfast (with music) was taken at sunrise, on the edge of a cliff over looking Tagbilaran Bay. Absolutely stunning and unforgetable!
'Tradition' also has it that several San Miguel (local) beers are required to 'wash' down breakfast! The team duly followed the custom and we were indeed becoming : "Happy Little San Miguellites"!!!!
More surprise dinner celebrations occurred later in the evening as well!!

Happy Little 'San Miguelittes'!!!

What a day.... memorable, extraordinary and deeply appreciated.

GSE Team visits Balicasag Island and Holy Trinity Angels Orphanage

The GSE team was invited to an isolated community that inhabits Balicasag Island. The Island has 1200 in their community and has  very few basic facilities and electricity only at night!!  The community school has 120 students and like everywhere we go, the children and parents are  most welcoming and hospitable, always happy and high spirited.

The school is very short of resources but make the 'most' of it!

Marty and David have become 'expert' in  the distribution of the  delicious and nutritious 'rice chocolate' that the children absolutely love. Before this food is given out, Rotary Club members conduct a Health and Hygiene 'talk' which is most effective and enjoyable for all concerned. As a continuing part of this major Rotary program, the consistent message has been to look after the children, feed them and reinforce good health and hygiene.

Kylie  and 'her children'

The Island has a very small police presence and were delighted to met Bec and discuss  'police matters'!! (Rumour has it that she may have been asked if she was 'single'!!!)

The children perform for Kylie Pitt  (now sometimes introduced as the sister to Brad Pitt!!!) This indeed gets their attention!!

Three toddlers pose with their Koalas

This little guy wanted nothing to do with  it...took 5 minutes eying it off on his knee  before it 'became ' his friend!!

The team then had an extraordinary  and privileged opportunity to visit  the Holy Trinity Angels Orphanage, Alburquerque, Bohol.

The orphanage takes in babies from birth  and nurtures them  up to  2 to 3 years.

Religious Sister Mae Balili from The Little Handmaids Of The Most Holy Trinity, is indeed an 'angel' for the work she does with these abandoned children.

As with all of the team, our hearts went out to these orphans. Kylie fell in love!

Medical Mission to Ubojan, Tubigon (Bohol)

On Saturday 19th February, the team departed for a two hour journey to a tiny village to assist with a Medical Mission for the day. The Rotary club of Tagbilaran have this as another one of their major projects in purchasing medicines for the poor and underprivileged. Rotary organizes three doctors to attend for the most part of the day, to treat the villagers for all sorts of illnesses and medical conditions. 'Scripts' are written by the doctors and the Rotary members (and the GSE Team!) distributed the medicines.
Minor surgery is also performed.
Marty (now known as the singing firefighter!!), was invited by the Mayor to 'open' the Mission with the Philippine National Anthem and after recovering from the 'shock' (he did not have the words with him)...he performed excellently in front of the officials and villagers. This gesture captured the hearts of all assembled. Just fantastic.
The Rotary club hold up to 10 of these 'Missions' per year around Bohol. Everything is free (sponsored by Rotary) for the villagers and their families. The team assisted in sorting the medicines and generally interacting with the families (particularly the children!) throughout the day.
In many ways, this was an awe inspiring experience...so many with so little, making do with the simple things of life.
Rotary truly makes a difference in this World....and on this occasion, the evidence was overwhelming.

David helping to sort out the medical supplies

Martin sing the Philippine National Anthem

 

 

Ian 'cuddles' babies

Bec and Kylie teach local children 'Nick Nack Paddy Wack...'

The team made their way home most humble indeed, all reflecting on how 'well off' we are in Australia.
Tomorrow is Sunday 20th February and the team is looking forward to the day of rest. Bravo so far.