“Pag-ibig ang dahilan kung bakit kayo naririto.” (Love is the reason why you are here.) These were the words of Sr. Aurora during the graduation of the second batch of Community Health Workers (CHW) in Tanay, Rizal. Her fellow Benedictine nun Sr. Alice added, “Hinirang at tinawag kayo ng Diyos. Para saan? Para maglingkod sa kapwa. Sinabi ng Diyos na huwag kayong matakot. Huwag tayong matatakot sa paglilingkod dahil tayo ay pinoprotektahan ng Diyos.”

Clockwise from top left: Sr. Alice, Sr. Aurora, a community health worker, and Dr. Eleanor.

The new batch of CHWs finished their training through the mentorship of St. Scholastica’s volunteers in a 3-month long program “Paaralan Ng Mga Nanay.”

There they learned skills on first aid, BP taking and monitoring, reflexology, and herbal medicine preparation, among others.

During the program, each CHW shared their own insights on their new roles. Bella, the oldest among the new batch shared, “Ang CHW ay dapat kalmado, kampante ang isip, puso at damdamin. Ang CHW ay dapat masaya kapag humaharap sa pasyente upang gumaan ang pakiramdam nila.” (A CHW must always have a calm mind and heart when in front of a patient. This way, we can alleviate their pain.)

Graduated CHWs with their friends and families

As a CHW, Bella now brings along with her a BP apparatus that Sr. Alice and Sr. Aurora lent her as she walks from village to village selling native delicacies, her main source of livelihood. “Apart from being a vendor, I am now a health worker as well,” she said in jest.

Bea, another graduate cited that the CHW’s unity struck her most. “I felt it as we worked alongside preparing herbal medicines for our patients.” In spite of her hectic schedule as the mother 4 small children, it was Bea’s passion and commitment that pushed her to complete the health training even if it meant attending the ‘Paaralan’ with her kids in tow.

Council for Health and Development (CHD), who trained the 1st batch of CHWs attended the graduation. Aksyon Health Workers, was also present in the occasion.

St. Scholastica’s in Tanay is a member of CHD and promotes community-based health program. They practice organic farming and hope to train more CHWs as part of their mission to serve the poor. ##

Graduated CHWs receiving their certificates.