Philippines 2016: Day 12

Thursday January 28, 2016

Today the team splits off - some to go home, others to go to see more of the Philippines, others to go to Vietnam. It has been an amazing experience and team. We represented Canada well and the Governor is now taking responsibility for helping us in 2019. The last word always lies with the team - thank you for your hard work, you made us proud. See you back in Canada for our reunion!

Comments from the team:

Joe:
The team was very capable and strong. Thanks to all the nurses that helped in Pharmacy. The trip has been very enjoyable and look forward to the next trip. (From the team - thanks so much to you Joe and Pharmasave for all you do to support the team.)

Diane:
This trip is just what I needed to regain my belief that there are good people out in the world! Great group of people on the team and the Filipino people are very appreciative of our care.

Le-Anne:
Another wonderful and fulfilling trip to such a beautiful country. Everyone working as a team to help those in need. I am so thankful to Linda for being given this opportunity again. We sometimes forget how lucky we are in Canada. A big thank you to Anabelle, Pablo and all their family for the support and thanks to all the translators.

Anabelle and Pablo:
This was my fourth medical mission, third mission trip for Pablo. The last two missions I helped organized with Linda and Sue. It was a lot of work but it's all worth it. I am so grateful that Linda gave me these opportunities not only to join the mission but also to bring the mission to my hometown. Each mission I learn and grow more as a person and a nurse. Pablo is equally thankful and grateful for the opportunity. There were cases that broke our hearts, but Pablo and I walk away knowing that we did our best and we were able provide some assistance. I know that the people of Jordan are very grateful for the help that they get. The sense of community in Jordan is still very strong for which I am very proud of. This team is awesome! I couldn't have asked for a better group of colleagues to work with. Pablo and I are looking forward to coming back and bringing a larger team in 2019.

Sabrina:
My 7th trip. What more can I say? Another amazing, fulfilling life journey helping those in need. Thankful for working with such a wonderful, caring, hardworking team. Thank You to Anabelle, Pablo and family for all the hard work organizing this trip and to Sue and Linda as well. We have touched the lives of many people in this beautiful country and I am grateful for this experience. Cannot wait for the next trip!

Carolyn:
Participating in this medical mission has been an experience I will never forget. I have an even greater appreciation for the Filipino people, for their grateful hearts and for their hard work. It was a privilege to be part of this caring professional medical team. I hope that we were able to make a difference in the lives of those we treated.

Jennifer:
7 days of clinics. It's such a privilege to have served in this way. To see the looks of gratitude when even a little help or relief is given is humbling and so worthwhile. To see someone be able to read with the glasses donated; hypertension diagnosed, and medication given in hopes of preventing a stroke or heart attack; help with insomnia given to a woman suffering from stress and grief because her husband was murdered in December.  There are so many stories to tell. An honor to have worked with this wonderful Medical Team here in the Philippines!

Lilian:
This was my second mission and I am so happy to be a part of this team. We all worked so hard to help those less fortunate in this beautiful country. All of us came from different regions but we came together as one like a family and Connected with one another. This team became the power team.  Thank You to Annabelle and her family for all their hard work and support in making this mission possible. We could not have done it without them.

Lorna:
This has been a great experience for me. Loved the patients and people of the Philippines. The entire team was so enthusiastic and caring – great to work with. Hope that I will be able to experience another adventure with everyone!

Joana:
What an incredible experience to be a part of again, with such an amazing team. I feel so privileged and honored to be here helping the beautiful people of Guimaras. A special thank you to Linda, Sue, Anabelle, Pablo and their family for making this experience so wonderful. A trip of a lifetime filled with so many inspiring moments, the ability to give back to those in need is the greatest gift I could ask for. Cannot wait for our next mission!

Donna and John:
We feel so blessed to have been part of the Philippines Medical team. The people we have met have blessed us both in ways we will never forget. We could not have done it without the wonderful help from the interpreters, local family and civil workers. Truly a great team. To each of our medical team members, thank you for sharing this experience with us. To those of you who supported us back home, lots of love and thanks to each of you. We look forward to joining the team again soon!

Lincoln:
Well, I am no longer a mission virgin. I enjoyed it immensely and the people I worked with were fantastic. The Filipino people are friendly and their food tasted so good. I ate 10 pounds of mangos during my time here. I especially enjoyed entertaining the children with magic tricks and helicopter rides. I am thankful for the opportunity to participate in such a worthwhile event and would consider doing another one in the future. P.S. where else can you get an ice-cold beer for a buck?

Yda May:
I am very grateful for this opportunity to be part of a rewarding and fulfilling mission to give back. I was lucky enough to be chosen to give back to my own people and the majority need medical help. Even though I am aware of this, it is still an experience that I would carry on and continue to share with others back in Canada. My goal is to encourage others to donate and possibly bring a MD or dentist to join the next medical mission in 2019. Thank you Linda for what you do, and may your company be blessed more. I met wonderful people, and built friendship, and for sure will continue to have relationship with them when I go back.

Trish:
My very first mission trip and I hope it is the first of many! What a wonderful team to learn from. Lots of knowledge but not afraid to have some fun along the way! An experience I will always remember and lots of memories to take home with me.  Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I would highly recommend it to anyone. I don’t think I have ever been prouder to be a Canadian!

Gloria:
My first mission trip and I am very happy that I came on this trip. My job was working with Cal on glasses, the wonderful look that I see when they can read my paper gives me so much joy. I wish all my team assistants would take this trip. Thanks to the CNS team for inviting me along. Looking forward to the next trip.

Alison:
Very rewarding experience to help people and make a difference. Team was great to work with very enthusiastic, knowledgeable and caring. Really enjoyed going to the different villages. Loved the patients and people of the Philippines. Hope to be able to participate in another mission soon.

Tiffany:
Words cannot describe my experience…I am so grateful to have been part of such an amazing team. “When you are a nurse, you know that every day you will touch a life, or a life will touch yours.” Many lives have touched mine during this journey. Looking forward to many more. Thank you.

Margaret:
This has been another fantastic experience. We have helped so many people. Mark has learned a new skill: Fluoride treatment for the 5-14 year old crowd.

Mark:
This has been one of those rare experiences when you can be told all about the trips and see pictures but you have to experience it for yourself to fully get a grasp of the magnitude of the organization and the results. The team is a well-oiled machine and it’s been an amazing experience to play a small part in it. Plus I have something new for my resume!

Jean:
This is my 7th medical outreach mission with CarePartners/CNS and it is always a pleasure to work with this group. The nurses and staff are always professional, compassionate, capable, and adaptable to all the changes that happen in a mission. Not only that, they are a lot of fun, what more can you ask for? Thank you to Linda for giving me and your team members the opportunity to serve in outreach, and to Sue, Anabelle and family, Mayor Chavez, and Michelle for putting all of this together. Look at the team photo, and the Canadians were only a small part. Philippines and the people are very special indeed. This was a culinary vacation. I hope I can return in 2019.
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Cal:
Well, again I’ve proven, I’ll follow Linda anywhere. The flight is long, but the rewards are great! It puts a smile on your face, seeing a smile on their face. I felt very proud seeing our flag hung at another village each day. Enjoyed getting to know the team. I was surprised to hear that Gloria got out of the country.

Linda:
It seems like yesterday that a little nursing company started in Belgrave, Ontario and grew. Now, that little company is having an impact halfway across the world. To see the “Welcome CNS International medical team” signs at every clinic and see the support of the mayor, governor and the people of the Philippines was so heartwarming. We have a reputation on the island now and everyone is talking about us coming back in 2019. There are so many things we are thankful for - the food, the support driving us around, the slugging the bags, all the help from Anabelle and Pablo’s family, right down to the mayor making sure he had a celebration band that played “Canadian” music on the last night. Most of all - thank you to the people who came to the clinics - waited in the hot sun to see us and gave us the privilege of caring for them. Thank you and see you in 2019.