Dealing with the People in the Community: Initial Step

This days marks the most exhilarating day to me because I went through series of activities that tested my ability in dealing with people in the community.  I visited two of the Muslim-inhabited  Barangays today. Brgy Lucatan and BrgyCabagayan to meet the respective Brgy. Captains in Tarragona, Davao Oriental.

  

When I was about to reach the Barangay Hall there were people standing there, talking. The secretary greeted me and  immediately logged in to the register of visitors. Waiting patiently was the barangay captain who was reallly in rush because of another meeting in poblacion. I talked to him about my purpose. He also talked about the way how people mostly lived their lives there and how people participate in every project that may be given to them. The whole conversation really was okay. He said they are open for any development introduce to them as long as it is for the good of its people. Our conversation ended with a warm smile. I immediately ask the secreatry of all the available barangay records they have. He sneaked a little bit sitting beside me and shared some information. His meeting was about to start and decided to spend time to me otherwise. Moreover, it was really good to know that all the data that I need was available. After completing the data I bid goodbye and decided to go. I left Brgy. Lucatan at 11: 50 am and waited for a motorbike going to National Highway. Reaching the national highway there is a terminal. That time I was so hungry. I fillled my stomach and decided to went on board (motor) at exaclty 1:00 pm.

The scheduled Courtesy call to the Brgy. Captain of Cabagayan was really in perfect timing because thee operation tuli is ongoing, therefore, officials are present in this kind of activity. I waited for the kapitan for 30 minutes because he was entertaining other visitors. When it was my time, I began to talked and delivered my speech as usual. His reaction was good though. We talked lots of things and decided to cut the conversation. He led me all the way to the barangay secretary for data gathering. I talked to him and greeted him. Asked a favor, he responded me and handed me over the data that I needed. We talk, laugh and shared common stories. A 40 year old man, single and available according to him. However, I continued to work on to my work and did the multi tasking; chikka and data gathering.

I finished the data gathering and immediate got his number. The Chairwoman of the Women's Association suddenly showed up and greeted us. Something  just pushed me to do the strategy. I talked to her and presented the project and the possible engagement of their association to the project. I was really happy that time. I went to the BHS and greeted the nurses and volunteers as they cut the flesh of those hundreds of children registered for circumcision. I helped them a bit and decided to go home.

Persons Met:

Brgy Lucatan

Bargy Capt.: Hon. Estalin Martin

Brgy. Treasurer: Nelia S. Colicog

Brgy. Kgd. Garry Jay Fernando

Brgy. Cabagayan

Brgy. Capt.: Hon.Bernaldo Sangue

Brgy. Secretary: Gekery Gangis

Challenges and Problems Encountered

The challenge that I experience was my security because I went to these two barangays without any companion. We already set an early morning departure from the poblacion but the assigned midwife in one of the barangays was not able to come because of the operation tuli in other barangays. It was really a problem to me because I know that the barangay captain is expecting me to come for the scheduled courtesy call. Even though it was hard for me to really go, I took the risk. When I arrived, I was really thankful that I decided to come because the captain patiently waited. He even stressed out that he didn’t really go to the poblacion for a some matter and really waited me for such purpose.

Reflection:

Taking risk is not something that tell us what or when to do something. We just need to use our common sense and behave, act and think positively, for there are things that really matter to us. Right decisions comes in a right time and right way. To sum it up, daghan kog nakat-onan karong adlawa.hahaha 

Provincial Orientation and Planning Meeting

The day was intended for the Provincial Orientation and all of us are really excited to rock the stage. Bearing in mind the tasks that we need to do, we all set ourselves as the program was about to start. Participants from six municipalities came. The registration was going on as I played the TB Informational videos. Participants who has been there in the area really find it nice to get to know more about TB aside from the idea that they already have in mind, I saw how they enjoyed the media maybe because of the animations and the kind of presentation being showed. When we were about to start the program, I was really nervous but remain at ease. I began the said event by saying a famous quote of Nelson Mandela which I think gave impact. I was suddenly driven by my inner self, my nerves were cracking and that really was the time that I wasn’t able to organize the acknowledgement of participants, some was not recognized well. Especially the MHO of Baganga. However, despite the said technicalities the program went well and delivered based on its real purpose.

The activity commenced before everyone had to eat the lunch. Picture taking and series of conversation went on as we eat. Participants immediately left the area and we were all there for the restoration and after care. We assessed the activity and identified some of the positive outputs. We went home at around  3:00 pm and reached Davao City before twilight.

Challenges and Problems Encountered:

1. Microphone and other technical assistance arise because of lack of coordination between DMSF staff and Honey's Hotel  before the day of the activity.
2. Uncoordinated presentation (prezi) because there was no pointer available and no rehearsal was made.

3. Most of the MHO's are absent that affects the decision making and discussion on the coordination and referral mechanism.

Reflection:

I was really surprised how we end up into a not so really successful provincial orientation but really we did our very best to come up with an acceptable output. We were al happy because at last we initiated the activity. It is good to know that all of us took our part to do this. However, there were some simple things that I think we need to work on. Anyway we are new to this job, but you know what is not new to us is our common sense, our guts and our desire to do the job. We are in the first phase of the project and I know it is hard, given also that some of us doesn't have experience in  organizing events. In my part, hosting is one thing I was doing when I was in college and I almost forgot how to do it because I haven't able to practice it for a very long time. I felt different that time that I wasn’t able to do it properly. But aside from that I really appreciate how all of us took the challenge.

"It's always seem impossible , until its done" - Nelson Mandela

Courtesy Call to the Municipalities of Tarragona, Manay and Caraga

Activity: Travel Time (Dava to Mati City)  & Courtesy Call to the Municipalities of Tarragona, Manay and Caraga

Date: April 15, 2015

There is always a perfect timing for us, whether we like it or not our journey will officialy begin. Today, we conducted courtesy call to the first three municipalities which will be covered by the project. The municipalities of Tarragona, Manay and Caraga are municipalities that lies in the coastal area of the province facing the eastern pacific

We first met the Municipal Health Officer (MHO) of Tarragona, Dr. Prosperidad P. Silverion, TB Aider Mr. Elmer Acosta and other staff of the office. The team first presented the project after a couple of introductions. The MHO shared her core thrust in terms of giving services to the general public including its mechanism in reaching communities. She emphasized the mobilization of the community through concerted efforts of its partners and other agencies. A short but meaty conversation ended when Dr. Silverion said that, “We do our part as gatekeepers”, it clearly emphasizes the effective delivery of the health services to the community. Screening patients within the area is one of their efforts to reduce burden to the provincial level. Given that the said purpose (courtesy call) was delivered, the team decided to leave.

The 18 km ride from Tarragona to Manay was amazing. The panoramic views of the beaches and the terrains were things that made my eyes wider. Dr. Edwin, MHO; Ricky Pagadoan, NTP coordinator and; Norilyn Fabio,  TB aider welcomed us. The MHO took the chance to appreciate this kind of project where USAID through the BPSP augmented the need to intensify the case finding and detection rate in their municipality. Despite the said increase in their success rate there is, however, the need to increase their detection rate. The team really expressed the main purpose of the project. The MHO was challenged after hearing that they belonged to the six low performing municipalities in terms of TB program. We then decided to go and traveled to the next municipality.

              The municipality of Caraga is the last municipality that we visited. The old churches, ancestral houses and the distinctive architecture depicted Spanish traditions. It is said that the convent used to be the living quarters of the missionary priests. Before we went to the MH Office we headed to the said old church where we grab a rest and clicks facing the appealing waves of the sea. The place was one of the typical growing municipalities. The MHO we met is a half Indian half Filipino, Dr. Khuzuphilli together with her NTP Coordinator and TB aider, the team talked about the project and run through the flow of discussion. She emphasized that she is newly assigned in the area and not really penetrated to the communities. She works hand in hand with the NTP Coordinator and TB aider to address the call for their low performance in TB control. However, the MHO herself finds it really hard to facilitate some public services and especially in public health because of the lack of experience. The team went back to Mati City to Prepare for the next day activity.

                                                                                     Reflection:

                 Coordination is important. Establishing rapport and building thin line within partners should always prevail. Even though we are young to be in this field, it is important to make the partners feel that they can have trust on us. The establishment of trust and respect is one of the most important factors in doing the job for it is the only thing that might help us pursue the said project.