Each
semester culminates with a community immersion. During last year’s immersion,
our team was able to establish rapport with the people, gather data about the
barangay, conduct health teachings and formulate community health plans. OPLAN KAUSABAN 2016 was the product of the
two months we spent in the community. Our team was supposed to leave for Roxas
last September 28, 2013. This time
around, our goal was to start the ball rolling. It was time to put OPLAN
KAUSABAN 2016 into action. Unfortunately,
due to the stand-off between the security forces and the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF), classes were suspended as well as our awaited return
to the community.
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| Courtesy of Phil Inquirer |
Every
Zamboangueño was affected by the stand-off.
It brought about fear and tragic experiences especially to those living in and
near the area of conflict. Many lives were lost and hundreds of houses were
ruined. Everyone was left wounded.
Everyone mourned for a killed soldier, father, mother or child. Many fled the
city to seek safer grounds but thousands were displaced to evacuation centers
where they have to endure the lack of food, water and problems with regards
to health and sanitation. Day by day, the number of evacuees piled up and
communicable diseases also erupted. However, the government, other Zamboangueños and other cities, extended their help.
There was more food, water, clothing, medicines and temporary shelters for the
evacuees.
Our team recognized
that the war brought about problems that were similar to the ones we were
trying to address in OPLAN KAUSABAN 2016. The evacuees also had problems with
regards to Kalimpyuhan (Sanitation), Kalawasan (Health) and Kabuhayan
(Livelihood). During this time, we wanted to be catalyst for change and hope in our beloved city. Given our limited resources, we extended a little help to our displaced brothers and sisters by volunteering at the health station located at the Sports Complex. And knowing that having a good hygiene can help
stop the spread of diseases, our team and the rest of the Level II ADZU-SOM
students prepared hygiene kits to be distributed to the evacuees.
(Photos Top: Potencia Domus (Level
II ADZU-SOM students) decided to use the class fund to purchase toiletries.
Bottom: Hygiene kits almost ready for delivery to an evacuation center.)
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