Before we arrived we sensed that our Philippine hosts were well organized.  Over the course of the past three weeks they have exceeded our expectations as they moved us swiftly from location to location, treated us to amazing Filipino meals and hosted us in the best of hospitality – Philippine Style.  I would certainly miss someone if I tried to identify the many civic officials, Rotarians, spouses and community workers who worked so diligently to ensure the completion of the project.  The presidents of the Paranaque Rotary clubs - Abundio “Jun” S. Punsalan – Paranaque Southwest, Olivia “Olive” Pangilinan – Paranaque Lakan bini, Leonidas “Leo” M. Tagle, Jr. – Paranaque Poblacion, Leonardo “Ding” B. Guinto – San Antonio Paranaque, Roel “Oey” C. Pena – Paranaque BF Homes, Lourdes “lu” D. Pabalinas – Paranaque Metro, Rolando “Rolly” Esguerra – Paranaque South, Nestor “Nestor” G. Alvarezas well as president Victoriano “Vic” Acosta in Palawan were keys to our success.  I would ask that they pass on our most appreciative thanks for all they, their members, community partners and their partner clubs have done to contribute to the successful distribution of 280 wheelchairs to needy recipients throughout the Philippines.  The organization and dedication of Past President Ador Tolentino is deserving of special commendation.  Your efforts exemplify the best of Rotary.  Your inspirational leadership has been crucial to bringing “Hope on Wheels – Gulong Ng Pag-Asa Tungo Sa Ginhawa” to a successful conclusion.

If readers would like more information about the Canadian Wheelchair Foundation they are directed to:

www.cdnwheelchair.com

In other countries a search under “Wheelchair Foundation” should direct you to the desired site.

We learned of many other interesting projects underway in Rotary District #3830 – water projects, education curricula, social justice developments, feeding programs, medical initiatives, co-operative marketing endeavours and elder care ventures.  If you are interested in partnering with Philippine Rotarians on a joint charitable venture I would encourage you to contact them at http://www.rotary.org


We were also able to visit Rotarians in Bohol.  They are in District 3860.  We would like to thank President Peter Crowther of the Tagbiluran club for his hospitality when we were hosted by past president Nila on the beach in Alona.  We hope that Irena Heberer is successful in the organization of a new club in Panglao.  These clubs also have many interesting projects which would welcome more support to enrich the lives of the residents of the island of Bohol.

Thank you for following our project as readers of this blog.  Knowing that you were sharing our journey inspired us. 

In conclusion, each of us was given the opportunity to share key personal moments to highlight the impact of the project. (Some had already returned to Canada and were unavailable to comment.)

Laurel – Jason with the green shoes. Making connections with recipients.

Maggie – Teo was so shy when we arrived.  He was making notes about the experience, not wasting a minute, he was ready for challenges.

Have

Opportunities for

People on

Earth

Tom – Carrying Rosalinda, a 13 year old burn victim of 5 years ago, from her bamboo shack in the woods to her new wheelchair, capped off an incredible journey. The five years she has laid in bed with little or no medical attention to the burns over 75% of her body have made me determined to get the care she deserves. Through the many Rotary contacts we have made here in the Philippines I am certain we can make that happen.

Doug – The support of the families of the recipients, respect by the young of their elders, parents proud of their children, seeing pride and dignity emerge.

Hansi -  As the chairman of the wheelchair portfolio  I would like to put things in perspective. In 10 years the foundation has delivered a little more than a million wheelchairs. But the need is much greater. Over 120 million wheelchairs are needed all over the world for people in  need. We, as Rotarians and friends, again made a difference with 280 wheelchairs for the people of Manila and the Philippines.  Our motto is easy - "To give, one wheelchair at the time, to all the immobilized people in the world in need!!"

Charlotte - Seeing the gross difference  between the have and have nots, and the difference a wheelchair can make to a poor family and its recipient.  So much more needs to be done.  I was impressed by the nuns making a vast difference in the lives of some youngsters even though they don't know where their next meal is coming from.

Urs – The company and hospitality, handing out wheelchairs in private venues off the beaten track and seeing the reaction of the recipients.  “The whole damn thing!”

Today’s story will take a bit longer to explain.  We left Puerto Princessa and drove up into the highlands in the north central region of Palawan.  Our first stop was at a boarding school first envisioned by the parish priest in the 1990’s.  He observed that his parishioners were spread out over a large region.  There were only three high schools in the region.  Many of the poorer farming families could not afford to transport their children to these high schools.  This was particularly a problem for girls.  The priest, who has now gone on to be an associate Bishop in Manila, dreamt of a boarding school where girls could come and reside while pursuing their studies.  With the assistance of the Jesuits, community volunteers and local Rotary clubs a 50 bed boarding school was built which now houses the students.  The goal is for the school to become self sustaining. The students, Salician Sisters of Dom Bosco and volunteers operate their own organic farm, raise chicken and pigs, and harvest rice on the school property.  They are completing a tilapia pond as part of their waste water treatment center.  Students learn practical skills that would enable them to develop their own small businesses in the future.  The first students graduated in 2006.  The support of patrons and donations has enabled several students to go on to college studying a variety of subjects such as math, science, accounting and teaching.  Other graduates now serve as role model volunteers at the school. 

Celebrating the Feast Day of Dom Bosco with the students.

Our wheelchair recipient was located by the students of the school while researching for a school project.  The assignment was to make the students aware of their good fortune of attending the boarding school by locating people in their community who were needier than their own families.  They located our recipient who is now thirteen years old.  She is the eldest of six children.  Five years ago at the age of eight she was carrying a container of fuel to her family compound.  She had been given volatile aviation fuel instead of regular fuel.  On the trip home she dropped the container and it erupted in flame burning her from the waist down.  She was given immediate aid but her family could not afford any follow-up treatment or drugs.  Her father is day labourer, her mother harvests what she can from the area around their home.  Their neighbours donated woven walls for their approximate eight by twelve foot bamboo framed home. 

Despite her still unhealed wounds, and the lack of pain medication for five years the recipient is known for her sunny disposition and ever present smile.  The students of the school have adopted her as their special sister.  They make trips to her home at least once a week with one of the Sisters to assist her with her studies and provide her with a connection to the outside world.  The recipient’s goal is to be able to go to Mass, continue her high school education and be with her peers. 

We travelled down the path to her home with the two of the Sisters from the school and a fellow Palawan Rotarian who is a community nurse.  We were joined by the recipients three youngest siblings and her mother.  Enclosed below are some pictures of our time with this precious girl.

Gina meeting Jovilian in her hut.

Tom carrying her out to her wheelchair,

Out and about in her new wheelchair.

This will be the most poignant example of the difference between medical care in the first and third world for those of us on the trip.