Basic Steps Towards Global Development

Days became hours as to minutes became seconds. My adventure and breath taking experiences have been so amazing. I can see myself enjoying every single event that happened for the last month. There were things that have been in my mind for days that I know could help me in this field. As a community organizer, I am very happy that there will be new faces, new group of people who will be part of my life, new set of problems to face and new success to strive for excellence.

It is glad to know that once again I will be involved with the people from the regional down to the barangay level that will help us hand in hand in delivering the project. Tuberculosis has been a problem to developing communities and there have a pragmatic decline in detection and cure rate based on the Philippine Target Plan on TB control. Therefore, a project Innovations and Multi-sectoral Partneships To Achieve Contro on Tuberculosis (IMPACT) funded by the United StatesAgency for International Development (USAID) was established to intensify the case findings to increase the detection and the cure rate. With the Philippine Businessfor Social Progress (BPSP) an agency entrusted by the said funder to deliver the project. The Technical Assistance Providers (TAP’s) happened to be the sub-contractor of the PBSP for proper implementation of the said project.

Davao MedicalSchool Foundation, Inc. (DMSFI) is one of the NGO’s who will help realize the said project. An institution located at Davao City that caters medical courses with a hospital and the Institute of Primary Health Care (IPHC). The IPHC responsible for giving humanitarian and primary health services to the community for over 30 years. DMSF took the challenge to become the sub-contractor of the PBSP. The school’s representatives have been attending Trainings and Seminars initiated by the said contractor.

The recently concluded Training of Trainers was a starting point towards the achievement of the project. The DMSF participated the said activity held on March 11-13, 2015 at Bayleaf Hotel, Intramuros, Manila. Six participants including the Project Manager, Cynthia Manlapus and five Community Organizers enjoyed the whole experience. Among the topics discussed was the Basic Facts about TB, The Revised Manual of Procedure and the Training and Facilitation. A demonstration of the topics on training of CBO’s was presented by every participating NGO’s; RIT/JATA, PHANSUP, WESADEF, KINASANG-AN and DMSF.

On March 24, 2015 a closed door meeting with the Area Coordinator Sharlene April  Jalandra and the DMSF IMPACT Team was conducted to formally initiate the plan and primary tasks. The DMSF team will be introduced by the area coordinator to the Provincial Health Office of Davao Oriental on March 25, 2015 at Mati City. The said activity is expected to have outputs, this includes the name of municipalities that will be covered by the project and determining existing Community Based Organizations.

           On the 25th of March the Team Mindanao for IMPACT project headed to Mati City for a courtesy call. Spearheded by Dr. Ted Yu, Team Leader for Mindanao together with the Project Management Corrdinator of IPHC and DMSF's IMPACT project head, Cynthia Manlapus. A short but meaty conversation commenced during the meeting. The tentative areas are municipalities of Baganga, Taragona, Caraga, Cateel, Boston, Manay. These municipalities will be the pilot areas. One of the things that was set during the meeting was the upcoming Courtesy call to the Governeor of Davao Oriental and the Provicial Orientation to be attended by the Municipal Mayors, Nurses, PHO staff and other medical practitioners of the province.

I will give you updates on the next day entry of my blog. Thank you so much!

Innovations and Multi-Sectoral Partnerships to Achieve Control of Tuberculosis (IMPACT)

Days passed but I didn’t noticed that my training is about to end. On March 10 my OJT period will end fortunately. It simply means that I will step up to the next level. It is glad to know that I survived. As of now I am preparing myself for a training that will be held at the Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros, Manila on 11^th until 13^th of March. Reports and other documents are submitted before we travel.

Innovations and Multi-Sectoral Partnerships to Achieve Control of Tuberculosis (IMPACT) is a project that will be delivered by the Institute of Primary Health Care of Davao Medical School Foundation, Inc. This project was funded by the USAID to address the pragmatic decline in the number of reached by TB education, presumptive TB cases identified and referred to health centers, presumptive TB cases referred and submitted for sputum exam, presumptive TB cases who have completed the 2 sputum examination, presumptive TB cases identified as New Sputum Positive (NSP) TB, TB All Forms diagnosed, NSP cases who have started treatment with community volunteers as treatment partners, NST cased cured and cases of TB All Forms diagnosed and undergoing treatment. The ultimate output of this project is to Increasethe Case Detection Rate (CDR) and Cure Rate (CR) of the Local Government Units attributable to increased (minimum of 10%) referrals from the Community-Based Organizations.

Through the coordination of the Community-based Organizations (CBO’s) to the Rural Health Units (RHU’s) the project hoped to continue for another 3 years based on the one year term evaluation of the funding agency reported by the Community Service Unit (CSU) of the DMSFI. However, Community organizers like me is now preparing for the said training. I’ve done research on Tuberculosis in the Philippines. As of now the Department of Health through its National Tuberculosis Program find ways on how these existing TB DOTS facilities are accessed by the presumptive cases. With the close coordination of the Local Government Units it is believed to be realized.

Through Philippine Business for Social Progress (BPSP) as the contractor the project will be initiated o the provinces that have been detected with the high cases of TB. The contractor (BPSP) coordinated the NGO's or the Technical Assistance Providers (TAP's) to deliver the project. These TAP's are considered to be the sub-contractors responsible for the delivery of the said project. The DMSF-IPHC is one of the Technical Assistance Provider that will cover 6 Municipalities in Davao Oriental with 4 barangay per assignment.

Since this project (IMPACT) is new, a training will be conducted to capacitate the community organizers and project heads for proper delivery of the project to target municipalities of Davao Oriental. I am very grateful to be part of the said project because aside from opportunities of traveling places and communities, it will also open my horizon in meeting new people and new experiences.

Social Work

There were various activities that I have attended. These include meetings, field exposures and meeting different people. Participatory Rapid Assessment/Appraisal, PORAS, Tribal Assembly and MITA meeting are major activities that I’ve been during my training. 

Activity: Participatory Rapid Assessment/Appraisal (PRA) Workshop

Date: February 16-27, 2015

Venue: Brgy. Banglasan and Brgy. Camansi, Montevista, Comval Province

PRA Workshop with the Brgy. Council, and
Health Practitioners of Camansi, Montevista, Comval

We conducted PRA Workshop in two barangays for two consecutive days. The activity was organized for health assessments. The activity was attended by the council and health practitioners (BNS, BHW’s, CHT, Midwife) in the barangay. The activity was delivered by the team that have opened the minds of the participants of all the concerns and issues in health. The two day activity was successfully conducted and delivered in two barangays.

There were problems that I encountered during the PRA workshop. Since it was my first time to speak in front of people I got scared – Stage fright in other words. Though it is normal to get nervous whenever we speak in front of people  I said to myself that I will get used to it.
Problems in the road and other factors are things
 that I encountered during the two days of workshop.

There are things that I learned during my training and that opened my horizon into a new perspective. A two day activity has introduced me into challenges (roads, mode of transportation and the culture) in reaching communities. The activity also enhanced my communication skills and interpersonal skills because I have met people and shared ideas. Therefore, this activity have opened my mind into what really the kind of work that I am into.

Activity: Peoples Organization Rating Assessment, Tribal Assembly and MITA Meeting

Date: February 18-20, 2014

Venue: ABC Hall and Brgy. Gymnasium, Brgy. San Jose, Montevista, Comval Province

My experience was heating up as the day passed by. The planned activities were presented to us and a new experience has to come. The Peoples Organization Rating Assessment (PORAS) was conducted by the team. The activity was organized to assess the present status of the organization for future developments. The activity was attended by the IP leaders of the Municipality (Cheiftain, IPMR). PORAS tool was presented by the team. The participants answered questions and raised concerns. During the discussion there were long due issues were discussed that consumed much time. It was a whole day activity. Present during the activity was the Project Manager of the IP-MNCHN (Mila Chavez) who helped the team in emphasizing the main purpose of the PORAS. This gave some IP leaders the opportunity to invite us to observe in their Tribal Assembly specifically in Brgy. San Jose.

The next day before the Tribal Assembly we accompanied one of the CO's to follow up the attendance of the conducted PRA in Brgy. Lebanon. We went to the place with a 3 kilometre ride from poblacion area. This activity served as the exposure for the OJT. Upon reaching the place the council was conducting the regular session. We observed for a short time while we were waiting for the attendance. Right after the completion of the documents, we then went back to poblacion area to prepare for the Tribal Assembly.

The weather was not good that afternoon. Together with the team leader we observed the assembly as they plan for the upcoming barangay fiesta celebration. The meeting discussed matters on the membership, tribal marriage and upcoming participation of the IP in the barangay activities. We were task to observe the deliberation of the meeting to determine the gaps and other facilitating factors. The activity was successfully conducted though there were things that are not cleared.

On the next day we were task to observe the Monthly meeting of the Montevista Integrated Tribal Association (MITA) for us to determine what are ways on how they conduct meetings. The prime purpose of the said observation was to assess them. The participants were there and normally some members came late. The meeting started with the preliminaries and then followed by the normal way of conducting a meeting. The whole duration was quite bad because the entire member cannot really do the right way. The procedure applied in the meeting was informal. Moreover, the presider wasn’t so effective in organizing the flow of discussion. The rules (if there’s any) was suspended because of the invited visitors from PAMULAHAN and 25^th IB Batalion (Lt. Col. Michele Anayron, Jr.) that gave their insights about agriculture and war concerns, respectively.

Those three activities were three major activities that have helped me in understanding the real context of the IP-MNCH project. However there were problems that have made positive effect to me. Both PORAS and MITA are activities that need to have skill of synthesizing the idea. The difficulty in extracting the ideas in arguments and discussions was really there. Understanding well and setting yourself in focus became hindering factors.

I have learned that these groups of people really need assessment and assistance. Understanding them was one of the most powerful tools in dealing IP’s because they are not oriented with the trends in organization. I also realized that the project (IP-MNCHN) is essential in enhancing the and empowering the IP Communities to gain access to health and other benefits that government is providing. Those activities enlightened my mind.

Reflection

 For almost a week in the field for the first time, there were things that I cherished most and those were the experience of being with the people in the community and being with the team mates. I appreciate how these people shared not only the learning of the project but the learning of how life works as well. My knowledge about health was enhanced and especially in dealing with the Indigenous community.

I learned the importance of the CO’s in delivering the services (technical) because these people are the front liner of the institute. I am really looking forward to seeing myself one day as an effective and efficient staff of the institution as an epitome of what really social work is. A week of experience taught me to value commitment and responsibility, on how focus on my goals and on how to manage my time wisely. 

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.

Technical Support to Developing Rural Communities

We had a smooth ride on our way to Barangay Camansi, Montevista, Comval, the last barangay to receive the assessment. Upon reaching the place, participants were already there waiting together with the barangay captain who welcomed us. It was a sunny day and people on that place were all busy. After a short welcome, we were ushered by some participants to the activity area.  We started posting the visuals and that signaled them that the training was about to start.

The preliminaries, introduction of participants and giving of expectations were normally conducted. A short message from the barangay captain welcomed the participants. The activity was participated by the barangay council, barangay health workers, BNS (Barangay Nutrition Scholars) and IP representatives. A brief background of the Project and PRA tools were discussed respectively. Amazingly, participants expressed their ideas, arguments and have also raised concerns. The data presented were validated.

I appreciate how they gave ideas to address the occurrence of the problems in their barangay, especially on health matters. However, participants also find time to give jokes and a spree to laugh but at the same time learning out of it. The explanation of the speakers gave clarity to vague and obscure topics. Participants’ insights were good and provocative. I saw how they are affected with the assessment.

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.