Community Immersion: Courtesy call to Brgy. Tomoaong, OperationTuli

The completion of Data and courtesy call were the major activities that I conducted today. Aside from the said purpose I also helped the nurses for the preparation of the Operation tuli. The idea of going to the barangays joining the MHO team for the operation tuli is to surely meet the barangay captain to conduct courtesy call. It was 7:40 am when when left the RHU. It was my first time to ride on an ambulance. We were all laughing inside as they all find a spree to laugh. We reached the area at 8:00 am and immediately unload the things we have. As the registration started I saw the barangay captain but I really find the perfect timing to talk to him. I nodded at him and greeted him as he was really working on with other matters. Hours passed and the situation was not so busy. I approached him and introduced myself. I ask for a short talk and we sat. A small office table in between us. I presented the project and its background. He was listening first and he began to ask questions. I answered very politely and though there are times that I was really out of pace, I glanced on the card that I was holding. After a short talk, one of the councilors ushered me to the barangay hall and introduced me to the secretary. I politely asked for records and other related data that the barangay has. The secreatary was so accommodating. She really had a great tie talking to me and entertained me. Hopefully the data was nearly completed before lunch. We shared together a delicious lunch and it was the first time I taste "Lolot" a chiken recipe that is cooked with lots of lamas including herbal plant "herba buena". The smell was good and the taste is excellent. This is one thing that I like about being with these people because I get to know different delicacies and recipes that I have never eaten before.

 

I continued the data gathering until 3 pm. I went back to the BHS where they are about to finish the last batch of children who will undergo circumcision. I helped assisted them and talked to some of the parents in the area. I accquainted people of different age.

Persons met:

Brgy Capt.: Hon. Ricky A. Magdipig

Brgy Sec.: Nelia M. Magculia

Brgy. Kgd.: Romel T. Caugmoc

 

Challenges and Problems Encountered

The challenge was to get the data from the Brgy. Midwife because she was busy preparing the snacks, food, and other  needs of the nurses and volunteers. I approached her about the data about 1 hour before we went home. Sadly, the 2014 data was lost and under recovery, However, I asked for the 2015 RHIS form and scannned it. I got nothing but a bunch of numbers ready for updating. Hehehe

Reflection:

For how many days that I been having a great time with the staff of the RHU I came to realize how hard it is for a person to really get to know each other if you have a weak personality. I appreciate he fact that there needs to have a bunch of experience and knowledge in order for you to go along with them because there are times that you need to share also your thoughts, your idea about a certain topic. But most of all the most important thing I learned about today's activity is that, we need to talk to people sincerely, our inner feelings and the way how we look at things imperfectly.

A Day with the IP Leaders

My sleeping position caused muscle pain and that woke me up around 6:18 am. This day I woke up late. However,I immediately prepared myself for another say of learning as an OJT. Around 8:00 am we went to  the activity area where we bring with us hundreds of calendars which will be distributed after the activity. Participants from every barangay came. Tha participants were the chieftains of the IP (Indigenous Pople) and IMPR. Attandance, registration and greetings were the first scenario.

Together with the team, we prepared the area. We started to post the visuals. People kept coming in. When everyone was settled, my teammate started to talk and did the preliminaries followed by the introduction and finally the presentation of PORAS (Peoples Organization Rating Assessment System). In this activity, our task was to assess them. We need to identify what is the present status of the organization, how they do it and what are the things to improve as an organization.

At first, participants kept on raising concerns. They kept on raising their hands while our Team Leader thoroughly explained the objectives up to the first part. Things were clarified as to what are the purpose of the assessment. As the activity progresses, participants became more vocal and inquisitive. They kept on asking questions and pushed their notions. The discussion became out of pace. The speaker then explained and reminded the participants. Together with the project manager, Maam Mila, who was present during the activity, helped us emphasize the true meaning of the assessment.

I learned that an organization should know what is its status, what are the things an organization should have. One of the most discussed topic was the Mission, Vission and Goal of the organization that have been debated by the members as a long due issue. I also appreciate how the team leader, Maam Ruth, emphasized the main purpose of the activity.

First Activity: Participatory Rapid Assessment/Appraisal

Activity:Participatory Rapid Assessment/Appraisal

Date: Feb. 16, 2015

Venue: Brgy. Hall, Banglasan, Montevista, ComVal Province

                Before the activity I saw the CO’s prepared. After we filled our empty stomach we went to the terminal. The idea of riding a “skylab” was one thing that filled the excitement. It was my first time. We left the Poblacion area around 8:00 am. The weather wasn’t good though. Light rain was pouring. We came down the road and the rain inked the streets. Mountains were covered by white smoke. At first it was a smooth ride until it turned out bad.

                Before we reached the place I saw how people lived their lives. Simple. I saw how they cultivated their crops, how they raised their animals. We crossed a river, schools and other existing projects of the NGO's. I learned that it is not easy to reach a certain place just to give them education and technical support. It takes passion.

                Together with the midwife who happened to conduct the immunization that day, we were welcomed by the barangay captain. We started the assessment immediately. I was task to facilitate the introduction of participants. The activity was attended by the Barangay Captain, BHW’s, a Midwife, BNS, Tribal Chieftain, pastor and representatives from Senior Citizen and the barangay Secretary. I really appreciate the warm welcome of the participants. After that, the background of the project and PRA tools were presented.

                Participants were actively participating. Issues and other medical concerns were raised. The interaction was good. They were assessed in a collective and participatory manner. Some topics were deeply discussed and argued. I saw the problem of the barangay and I was moved by the fact that the activity affects them as to how they view on health.

                The PRA in Banglasan was the first exposure for me. It introduced me into a perspectivewhere I can feel belongingness. The roadtrips, budgeting, ambiance, my team mates, the interactions of the participants and the warm welcome of the people are things that lived my expectations.

It's Time for Giving Humanitarian Services

This is travel blog will open you to an adventure and exhilarating experience as I reach out to rural communities in Southern and Western Mindanao. I will experience community immersion and to deal with the rural communities by gathering data in the field of health.

This blog will also uncover places that you have never seen before. The unadulterated areas of Mindanao will be featured here through pictures and videos. My day-to-day activities will be posted here as I go through this journey. The exciting mode of transportation from horses, motorcycles, "skylab" and among others.

Join me as I uncover  places in Mindanao through humanitarian and community development services funded by the European Union and other big NGO's from all over the world.