PALAYAN CITY, Nueva Ecija – Susan Africa, a Novo Ecijano, visited Regional Home for Girls (RHFG) on 12 January 2019 along with two dentists and a hairstylist. They conducted initial assessment on the residents’ dental and hair hygiene to know the extent of their needs. The information they have gathered were shared to their target partners for a dental mission on 19 January of the same year.
10 dentists and 1 hairstylist selflessly volunteered for this worthy mission. Their team conducted a lecture on proper dental hygiene. When the actual dental services took place, they were able to serve 24 residents with tooth extraction; 15 with dental prophylaxis; and 19 with amalgam filling. They also demonstrated the use of a head lice treatment shampoo to 53 residents who also received free grooming items, towels and haircut.
1 of the residents was observed with swollen gums. The volunteers referred the client to Philippine General Hospital for further check-up. On the following day, nurse Christine Apostol of RHFG accompanied the client to Manila while Susan Africa and other volunteers assisted them for check-up and other laboratory procedures which fees were shouldered by DON-PIN Foundation through Dr. Franz Mercado. Client was advised by the physician to undergo biopsy as basis for the operation the child will undergo. They were also provided with food and accommodation throughout the duration of her check-up in Manila. “Masaya ako kasi naramdaman ko na mahalaga ako sa kanila kasi ang daming tulong na binigay nila sa akin at lagi nila ako pinapakain ng masarap habang nandon ako sa Manila”, the client said in gratitude.
Such humanitarian efforts contributes to the healing recovery of the residents as they feel loved and cared for. They became more confident about themselves with their new haircut and clean teeth free of discomfort from tooth cavity. One of the residents said, “Dati nahihiya akong ngumiti kasi sira ang ngipin ko pero ngayon hindi na ako nahihiya na ngumiti kasi naayos na ngipin ko.” Another was happy about her hair. “Masaya kasi maganda ang gupit ko,masususklay ko nang maayos ang buhok ko – feeling ko gumanda ako lalo, at nabawasan ang kuto ko kaya hindi na ako laging nagkakamot sa ulo”, she expressed.
Ms. Africa and the rest of the volunteers are members of YOURS GROUP (You are Served). Their main goal is to serve less fortunate people. In fact, during the medical mission, one of the volunteers delivered an inspirational message to the children and committed that their team will conduct the same activity annually. RHFG is grateful to have YOURS GROUP as their new partner in child caring, support and development.
Story by: Marivic P. Framancilla
