December 20, 2023
The VPHCS hosted the internship of two nursing students, Louka Titulaer and Noa Bicentini of the HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands, through the collaboration with the Philippine Knowledge and Activity Center in the Netherlands. The internship lasted from September 4 until December 15, 2023.
The students had their community immersion in Sitio Lawis, Pasil. The interns conducted a survey using a questionnaire to determine the socio-economic and health conditions of the residents in Sitio Lawis. They collated the results and gave a report to the women and together, they all decided on an action plan to address the malnutrition problem identified in the survey.
They gave a lecture on nutrition on October 18, 2023 and started a regular clean up drive and feeding program for the children on October 22. They also made a poster on nutrition in Cebuano version measuring 3 ft. by 5 ft. which was hanged in a strategic area in the community where many residents can see to constantly remind them about basic nutrition.
Seeing the living conditions of poor environmental conditions, congested housing and poverty of the families, the students realized how different it is between the Philippines and Netherlands, and is more grateful with what they have in Netherlands. They blended well with the women and were very much at home with them and talked with them easily in spite of the language barrier.
The students attended other activities outside the community that enhanced their exposure to Philippine situations of poverty and knowledge about other organizations and issues.
They visited the three other urban poor communities supported by the VPHCS where they saw the poor living conditions, congestion of the houses, talked with the women in the women’s organizations which are partners of the VPHCS in an ongoing project, and saw how the women are resilient in coping with their hardships.
They participated in a medical mission for poor residents in the Calajoan Elementary School in Minglanilla on November 26, 2023 where they took the vital signs of the patients. The mission was organized by the VPHCS together with other non-government organizations.
They also integrated with the vendors in the Carbon Public Market on November 12, 2023 where they saw how the vendors work so hard to sell their food stuffs and yet earn little income.
They also participated in a basic health skills training organized by the VPHCS for community health workers in two project sites, on December 9 and 10, 2023.
