On Sunday 27th September, we hosted a Medical Mission in Papaya School for the people of Payatas. For this day we decided that it should not just be medical care but a full holistic family health day so that each family would leave feeling “hugged!” We were very lucky that 2 of our partner charities were not only willing to give us their school, but also their staff and older children to be volunteers and set up the planned area. Amazing job Gawad Kalinga and ASCF Foundation!

The families from Payatas were given free transport to the mission where they received free dental care, medical care, food, new, pre-loved clothes, shower and as part of the fully holistic approach we were aiming for, we included a fun photo booth and goody bag to take home with toiletries and cleaning goods.

A massive thank-you to all suppliers and private donors for the medicines, towels, clothing and toiletries, these groups included the BWA, ANZA, AWCP, Makati and Manila mums and the Manila expat market. A special mention to Ms. Chenny for the sponsor of all the goody bags!

A medical mission could not be achieved without the help and care of our volunteer doctors and nurses who give freely their time, again and again plus their years of experience and knowledge, Dr. Umberto, Dr. Madrid, Dr. JP, Georgina McGlinchey, Kitty Martinho, Jane Underwood, Dianne Chua, Rizza Lim hats off to you all! We also needed a translator so Brian Chua, thank you for being with us all day. We also had a bus load of Manila Mums who came along to unpack, distribute, take names, shower, choose clothing, take photos, managed to organise a play table for the children and clean-up, ensuring that no-one was left behind and that everyone got a chance to enjoy the day.

One mother even said “I’ve never been to a medical mission like this before, usually it is hot, we have no cover, it is hot and we wait for hours just for 2 minutes with a Dr. Thank-you for making this day fun. We feel like we have had a break from our lives.” These families live on a dump, they work each day scavenging for what little scraps they can find to sell and eat. Children as soon as they can walk join in and often they work before and or after school. This was a fantastic achievement and a group effort. You can be proud that if you donated, volunteered or gave cash it was well spent, managed and everyone had a great day.

Thank you!