..another sharing of Doc Joen 
Good morning everyone,
May you have a spirit-filled journey for the rest of the week.
I just want to share about my Bicol trip. It was indeed very
fruitful and exciting, and, of course affirming.
We left
saturday morning and arrived straight at Libmannan at around 4pm. It was a great day after the long days of raining (flooding the ricefield and some streets). I would like to think I brought sunshine there.(naks). And so my short but real happy visit took place.
Among the fruits of my visit are the ff:
> reevaluated the children for possible ppd. Dr Ed Palima the RHU has pointed out 4 kids for ppd. Those not yet seen and the others with exposure & some symptoms were reevaluated.
> immersed through the house to house visit of the kids' family (FUN with the HCVs, and action-pact--the pathway were muddy and slippery, on and off rain, HCVs very careful that I dont slip.)
>conducted HCV training, 11 promising HCVs, very interested and happy with new roles, responsibilities and training
>conducted consultations (andami nila...and the
need for medications were impressed upon me...this I think can be a part of our program. One mother had an asthmatic child with moderate dyspnea, and had no funds to bring child to the far clinics for nebulization)
>planned with Dr Enojado their provincial health coordinator...He promoted our health program in their MCG and asked the community to help fill up their health structure by
Mar 15.
>was oriented on caretaker team and KB management and even given many advises on life issues with the kind and hospitable PDs Tito Agoy and tita Cecille
>got to know more the caretaker team...who are very much dedicated...usually they are there weekly, some daily...they also conduct household meetings for the beneficiaries, and they themselves are very active in their pastoral formation and church activities...
definitely not veering away
>talked to representative of RHU2, Nurse Jun, sent by MHO Dr. Ed Palima, who is very active and does monthly consultation and training of HCVs
>visited Iriga's health manager, Dr. Gina Ampongan, pediatrician and businesswoman, very bubbly, high-spirited, dedicated, makuwento talaga. she has read the articles given on training HCVs and outlines on our programs, has assigned network of nonCFC doctors for the training. She was apologetic that she has not formed the HCV team yet because of weekly activities...Disciples weekend, etc. She explained their site structure...Shes really excited and willing .
Exciting as it is, I have found a lot of opportunities
>Tita Weehlee, wife of Tito Hayee, GK provincial coordinator is a nurse who can be part of the regional training team
>Tita Mentoy, the Libmannan Gkal Manager, non-health professional has already some topics for training hcvs, Tita Des a teacher, part of caretaker team, assigned to CYD, also to help in training..herbal medicines in particular
>RHU's valuable participation
>son of Tito Agoy with his friends, all nurses, will also help in training...monitor vital signs, and will participate in
Manila also when they are around
>Have a list of 10 Gkal Mgrs for Camarines Sur, to do training provincial-wide for gkal managers, and coordinators upon my return
>ppd to be done soonest, then tb treatment hopefully soon, conduct training for thier tasks for tb implementation
>Tita Gina also amenable to join training team for the province.
>structure for health to be filled up soon c/o Dr. Enojado. they're looking also for sector coordinators.
>Regional Coordinator Jay and wifey Eena very supportive, wants to orient other proviinces and help set up health across the region. hopefully once their training team is set and made strong, they can do it on their own. and we go to other regions.
Finally, it was an affirming experience. After all the warmth, the hospitality,the abundant food (hehe) ,the wisdom I gained from my encounter with them, the inspiration I also got from their passion and dedication, I had one more affirmation. I went to sunday mass with tito Agoy and tita Cecile not understanding much because it is in Bicolano...I felt God's loving presence and embrace...especially when I received Jesus in the sacrament while walking back to my seat and the radiant rays of the sun shining on my face...He said
this is my mission...to be a health missionary.
In so much gratefulness:
Thank you Lord, indeed for everything and for sending me.Hoping your lives will also be touched everyday in the work God has called us to pursue to spread His love and healing.
with love, Joen
