On these past few days, I've come to realize that the spirit of unity and love as a whole are still alive amidst the reality of "urbanized-way" in dealing with life. Even though we are currently situated in a world chained with competition, bind with rage and selfishness, pigments of these beautiful values were preserved and are still twinkling 'though at times, unnoticed.
Last Saturday, we were blessed to meet some Australian Med Student Doctors of Flinders University. We had some CHP (Community Health Plan) presentations by our seniors to help our visitors understand more about our unique curriculum. The said program also served us eye-openers for us lower years on the upcoming challenges that our group will soon encounter. We were near-tears when we have discovered that the different projects presented were of big impact to the communities they adopt. One of the most amazing video presentation were by the 4th years. Their community is in Lakewood, Zamboanga Del Sur. It was said that this community is one of the poorest municipalities in Region 9. Moreover, the infant mortality rate in this area is high due to numerous factors like that of Inaccessibility of Health-related services in the area, the geographical location and lack of manpower. The students, serving as catalyst of change, came up with unique programs to address certain issues that the residents are currently facing. And of course, with active participation and involvement of its constituents, the proposed programs came to reality. One of the most appealing project that our seniors came up is the construction of a halfway house. It was said that this construction will serve as a "Maternity Lying-In". And what makes it more unique is that, the said unit will be constructed using empty plastic bottles. The project indeed covered some of the major problems in the municipality. Accessibility of health services will now be possible, Perinatal problems will be reduced, Optimum Mother and Child Health will soon be realized. Another project that send me in tears is the production of yellow banana boats for the children living near the lake of the mentioned municipality. The center of governance, health, business and education is located mountains-unpaved roads-and not to mention, KILOMETERS away from these residents. Imagine, an elementary student, walking 5-6 km (insert: muddy and steep roads) just to attend his classes. It's difficult to absorb the idea that these youngsters whose simple wish is to be enlightened end up weighing these burdens on their shoulders. So the Med Students, to address these problems, came up with Yellow banana boats to help transport children, mothers and even the sick to their center. These projects indeed caught our attention and shook our hearts. Even our foreign colleagues were amazed with these programs. They said that they cannot just fathom the reality that we, developing countries, are currently experiencing. And the sacrifices that we chose to give-up just to help those who are in need. Last Saturday, made me realize that indeed, I made a right choice in picking ADZU-School Of Medicine. For they really adhere to its principle: To create doctors for God and Country.
InshaAllah, someday, I can make a difference too.
