A move away from housing and tourism to some of the projects
today’s host club are involved with; a school, mobile surgery and home for
abandoned children.
After feeling very guilty about not being able to finish the
second breakfast of the day provided by our hosts at the school we had a tour.
Children are on summer break now but we met some by the gate and Richard was
able to get his politician’s handshake out. Not sure the handshake went down
that well with the baby!
A great innovation from the club is a mobile surgery housed
in a shipping container. Two patients can be treated at once using a special
local anaesthetic and we were invited into the operating room to see how it
works. Not all of us were that comfortable watching the live hernia surgery especially
as the child was awake and not looking all that keen to have us there. Her
sister was in the waiting area looking very well especially as it emerged that
she had only just left surgery herself for the same thing. The type of hernia
is apparently common in malnourished children and there is a lot of need in the
area for this type of operation.
Another quick stop to get involved in some campaigning going
on behind the theatre and yet more photos taken.
Boystown, the home for ‘foundlings’ was a trip back to
Marikina City where my host family live. Rundown but well kept and clean I
think meeting these children has had the biggest impact on everyone so far.
Following Dan’s lead we got in and talked to the kids who were shy at first but
then keen to ask questions although sometimes in Tagalog and I’m not sure they
understood why we couldn’t answer. Getting the camera out was the biggest hit
and my deputy photographer did a very good job despite wanting to get me in the
pictures.
More photos and a demonstration of their superiority in
doing Gangam style we had a quick tour
of their sleeping quarters and the work the Rotary have done in improving the
home. There are around 40 children
living in the area for boys under 6 and a home of this type in every city
around Manila. In total around 300 children live in this home. Back in the car
I think we were all fighting back tears as we pulled away but luckily Dan was
there to make us laugh or in my case just confuse me.
Our schedule for the afternoon changed and instead of
visiting their centre for children involved in criminal proceedings we went to
the spa. Not sure we felt entirely comfortable with the contrast but were soon
distracted by a very vigorous Thai massage which involved being hauled over the
head of the masseuse and suspended over the floor. A bit of a shock when all
she’d said she was doing was stretching my arms!
A much appreciated opportunity for beer, shower and change
of clothes before the club meeting with the day’s host club and their baby
club, that of my host Dennis. A lively meeting and a much improved presentation
with the inclusion of some of Natalie’s zumba moves to give people a break from
endless powerpoint.
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