Current Projects
Muslim Women's Development Center
The Sharlene Gardner Muslim Women's Development Center was dedicated on May 31, 2006. This was a three prong project between the the local government, the residents and the Foundation. The Foundation is supplying the material and the residents are helping with the construction and the local government is providing technical expertise. It is being used as a multipurpose building for the women and children. In addition to the feeding program for the malnourished children, the center is being used as a sewing center and as a pre-school for 47 children. Aimee Freyman, Yukon, Oklahoma is providing the funding for the operation and maintenance of the school. The women have created a thriving business by making and selling traditional Muslim dresses (malongs) and school uniforms. In January, 2007, the foundation will undertake another major building project for Purok Dos; a public restroom for 36 families who currently have no facilities. This project will be sponsored by the Doug Gardner family.
Press Release
MUSLIM WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Rene S. Sison, M.D
MUSLIM WOMEN'S DEVELOPMENT CENTER
Purok 2, Poblacion , Kalilangan, Bukidnon, Philippines
May 31, 2006
The Muslim Women's Development Center was dedicated on May 31, 2006. It was attended by the Municipal Mayor Nenita Suyao, the village Imam, village leaders, three pastors, the Community Affairs Assistance Program Officer, Mr. Nonito Cosio, MAP staff members Drs. Rene and Fely Sison, Melchora Saliring and Priscilla Balahay. About two hundred and fifty villagers attended the ceremony.
This was also the graduation day for the 37 Muslim women who attended training in sewing conducted by TESDA (a government agency which conducts vocational training for out of school youth and adults ). The H.E.L.P. Foundation (Humanitarian Efforts to Lessen Poverty) founded by Mr. Keith Hooper of Lebanon, Kansas provided the funds to build the Center, as well as funds for the livelihood and children's feeding program.. Dr. Sison formally turned over the key of the building to the Local Government Unit (represented by the Mayor) who turned it over to the local leader, signifying that ownership belongs to the village people themselves. The building is located on a lot near the mosque.
The women, together with their families came in their Muslim attire and presented dances and songs. The building was festooned with buntings, and colorful draperies. Dinner followed the program, with halal food served in traditional maranao silver plates and bowls sans cutlery. Tradition calls for washing of hands before dinner.
The building is a multi-purpose Center for Village Assembly, Literacy classroom for children, Training center for sewing, Training Center for Family Health Workers, Medical clinic, Madrassah, and place where malnourished children are fed. The activities are done on scheduled basis.
Technical assistance was provided by the local government unit while the money used to build the Center was donated to the H.E.L.P. Foundation by Sharlene Gardner of Phoenix, Arizona. The Center is named after her.
Medical Ambassadors Philippines (MAP) have been in this village since 2003 training Family Health Workers, doing medical work, feeding the malnourished, showing Christian films, referring and bringing patients to secondary health facilities and other related health issues. MAP teamed up with the H.E.L.P. Foundation in 2005 and conduct similar programs throughout Bukidnon.
Rene S. Sison, M.D.
Needed Public Restrooms under construction
Restrooms being constructed
The new community comfort rooms (restrooms) are under construction in the Muslim village of Purok Dos. Families who do not have restrooms will utilize this facility. Estimated turnover date to the community will be April 15, 2007.
Rotary Report from Medical Ambassadors to the Philippines
Medical Ambassadors Philippines
c/o Sison Medical Clinic
Valencia, Bukidnon
June 22, 2006
Dr. Pol Murillo
President
Rotary Club of Malaybalay
Malaybalay, Bukidnon
June 22, 2006
Dear Dr. Murillo,
May I submit our achievement report regarding our Health and Income Generating program in Kulaman, Malaybalay, Bukidnon and in the two Muslim villages of Pamotolon, and Purok 2, Poblacion, both in Kalilangan, Bukidnon.
The projects are
1. Training of Family Health Workers.
2. Malnutrition Rehabilitation of the children in the three villages.
3. Income Generating Programs - Sewing Mat Weaving, Soft broom making, Animal Dispersal ( Goat Raising )
Through the personal efforts of Mr. Keith Hooper a building that can accommodate 70 children was erected in Purok 2. The building is being used as school classroom for Preschool Muslim children. For the first time in their lives a school is erected in their midst. We do not charge tuition fee. Again through Mr. Hooper, the salary of the teacher and training materials are assured.
The building was inaugurated last May 31 , 2006 with the Mayor (Mayor Nenita Suyao), the local Muslim priest, the tribal Chieftain and other government officials attending. It was also the Graduation day for the Muslim women
who were trained in sewing. The training was done by TESDA.
We are regularly visiting and monitoring these project sites. I am glad to inform you that the people are already making income on these projects.
The details of these programs are found in our report, prepared by our two nursing staff, Ms. Melchora Saliring and Ms. Prescy Balahay.
Thanks a lot for the support of Rotary International and the Malaybalay Rotary Club in particular for these projects. Definitely these projects are creating impact on the lives of our poor people in the hinterlands and to our Muslim friends regarding their health status and economic well being.
Best regards to you and our colleagues in Malaybalay.
Respectfully yours,
Rene S. Sison, M.D.
President
Medical Ambassadors Philippines