Last April 28, Saturday, 163 guards, canteen servers, gardeners, technicians, and ServiceMaster personnel of UA&P, together with their families, joined “Mission Possible: Medical Mission 2018.” Organized by CATALYST, “Mission Possible” was a whole-day event aimed at serving the very people who serve the UA&P community on a daily basis—the Assets and Facilities Management (AFM) and Housekeeping staff of the University.
The registration began at 8:30 am in Prom A. A program was held so that the beneficiaries could have fun and bond with their families while waiting for their priority numbers to be called. The first part of the program was a Zumba session led by Benjo Robles, where the children and adults alike danced to the music, energizing themselves and exercising in a fun way. Fun games such as calamansi relay and musical chairs were played. Volunteers, meanwhile, performed special songs for everyone.
Another goal of the program was to teach the beneficiaries good habits. This came in the form of a Toothbrush Awareness Program for the children by Dr. Maria Teresa Lababit. The children thus learned the importance of dental hygiene and how to brush one’s teeth properly. Each of them also received a toothbrush.
For adults, Dr. Donabel Pineda taught Basic Life Support. The adults were taught how to react when faced with an emergency patient who needs cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). A special volunteer even acted as the dummy to whom the CPR would be practiced on.
“Mission Possible” also offered circumcision services. Of the seven patients who were looked over by Dr. Panfilo David, the head doctor of “Mission Possible,” as well as Mr. Manuel David and Mr. Eugene Lappay, three boys successfully availed of this service.
Inside CAS 102, medical doctors assessed the needs of every patient and gave specific recommendations on how to best improve their health.
At CAS 103, meanwhile, the beneficiaries had dental check-ups. Those who were eligible had tooth extractions.
Pharmacy and fiesta packages were distributed at CAS 104. The beneficiaries received medicines ranging from multivitamins, antibiotics, and hypertension, to paracetamol for babies below one year of age, and more. The fiesta packages, meanwhile, included everyday needs such as rice, canned goods, soy sauce and vinegar, bread, coffee, alcohol, toothpaste, etc.
Even if “Mission Possible” was an event specifically aimed at the service personnel of UA&P, it was a project meant for the entire University. Some faculty members and staff helped. Students gave patron sponsorships.
CATALYST and the volunteers offered their time and effort but gained so much more in return. “It was a great experience to offer our service to the ates and kuyas who make our lives so comfortable every day. It was wonderful to see them smile and look so happy,” said Rose Anne Sision, the committee head of Team Medicines.
Smiles could be seen on the faces of the beneficiaries all throughout the day. “Thank you po. Salamat,” they said. “Sobrang espesyal ang araw nito.”
In the end, this is what matters: making a positive impact on society, one person at a time. By starting close to home, change can become so much more personal and impactful. Everyone deserves basic healthcare and time to bond with family; everyone deserves a chance to feel special.
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