Imagine in the philippines

Kids Kamp at Clark

2009-04-23T23:22:00.000-07:00

Bataan 23 April 09

2009-04-23T23:02:00.000-07:00

Seen so much since I last signed in . In Bataan at the moment what a place !!
Its well developed and as usual the people are all so kind and Friendly.
Staying with a host family who have 2 small children, I really feel part of their family.
I have visited the national Mental Hospital which holds 600 patients . They have 5 doctors and 1 social worker . I spoke to the OT of the hosptial who does a lot of recovery work within the unit . It was very interesting and the whole care team seemed really excited when I explained all the work we do within Imagine . They felt the Clued in project was something they would take on board but at a much smaller scale due to funding restrictions .
I will update again when I get a chance , see you soon :)

Baguio

2009-04-10T03:19:00.000-07:00

April 10th Good Friday

2009-04-10T03:12:00.000-07:00

Today we left the amazing city of San Fernando to head to the cooler place of Baguio , after a very bendy up moutain 3 hour drive we arrived to meet our new host family , a lovely lady called Cristy.
This week is very busy with a medical mission with the Rotary club on Sunday and my vocational day on Monday .
Will keep you posted !!!!

The past week

2009-04-06T20:11:00.001-07:00

Wow what a first week and a bit! We are having such a good time, the hospitality has been fantastic, the Philippino people are so happy, make you feel so welcome and they cannot do enough for you. I think one of the highlights from the last 2 days was visiting a medical and dental mission where Rotarians were giving up their free time to do circumcisions, and tooth extraction. A bit gory as you imagine and like nothing we would get at home but really making a difference in people's lives.

For the past 2 nights we have been in Vigan, in the north of the Island. We have visited the old town on a horse and cart, attended palm Sunday mass at Vigan catherdral, eaten purple ice cream and ant eggs! Yesterday we travelled to the top of the island for swimming, which was a lovely break. This morning we have already had a fellowship / farewell breakfast and are on the way to La Union, which is also on the coast.

Vigan

2009-04-03T23:26:00.000-07:00

Today I have seen so much . I have visited a public hospital which was very shocking in many ways .We went into the operating room and actually watched a lady having an operation in front of our very eyes. They didn't have a Mental Health Unit as they only had a Mental Health professional visiting on a Friday in both the Public and Private hospitals. Most people are treated as out patients . They also seem to administer medication rather than have a holistic approach which is upsetting in many ways . If people are poor they are left to wonder the streets . They have one main secure unit which is based in Manilla.

Monday 30th March - 2.34pm

2009-03-29T23:34:00.000-07:00

Hi All,
Today I woke at 6.30 am . Its really hot and humid never fely heat like this . Leah my Host took me to the local beach in Dagupan. People here rent the beach huts and spend the day here. We the took a jeepney down the road . Many small huts selling fish/mango/Fruit are everywhere, this is one of the main ways people earn a living here.
Leah showed me the different housing here from small self built metal / bamboo huts to large houses all next to each other. They also have low cost housing here which are tiny homes brightly painted to make people feel happy whilst living in them.
We then took a tri- cycle around the city , a young boy riding us around in a small cart , he looked a little concerned when he seen my size .
Everyone is around 5 foot so I am a giant here at nearly 5.8 , even to the men .
Next was a motor bike ride with a small cart on the side , this again was an experience not to be forgotten.
Back for breakfast , dried fish and rice . mango also which is fabulous here.
Next stop was a visit to the Local Mayer of Dagupan . Whilst here we explained the work the team do within England and Wales. We where treated like royalty with a horse and cart ride and a special buffet for us .
The Mayer's wife Elmina Fernanrez is the President of the Philippine Mental Health work within the Pangasinan Chapter. Unfortunatly she had gone to Europe on business this week.
I have come to meet Leah at work in a local bank , next stop is the local mental Health centre later today .

Dagupan

2009-03-29T03:26:00.000-07:00

Arrvied in The Phillippines after a 20 hour trip , Friday at 7 pm there time , we are 8 hours a head here.
Went through the busiest place I have ever seen Manillia in rush hour.The biggest bill boards you can imagine and Jeepneys everwhere ( long jeep shape taxis ).
A 3 hour car ride to our first stop in a place called Clark . This was the original US navy base in the war . The five of us stayed in a small villa in a golfing complex . We all went to dinner , rice and chicken on the menu for me and green tea ice cream which was 'different'
Sunday 29th March-After a 2 and half hour car jounery I have arrived at my first host family.Leah and Tony in the Province - Pangasinan in a place called 'Dagupan'. To get here we past many tiny hut and make shifts homes.

2009-03-26T03:34:00.000-07:00

My flight is early Friday morning , We fly to Dubai then from there to Manila hopefully arriving there Sat 28th March for a over night stay in Manila .

2009-03-22T06:48:00.000-07:00

2009-03-22T06:45:00.000-07:00

Say "Hello" to District 1180's all Girl Team
bound for District 3790 in the Philippines for 2009
District 1180 held their GSE Team Selection Day on Sunday 31 August 2008 and the following were selected to represent DG Vernon Schwarz and District 1180 during their visit to the Philippines
They will depart with their Team Leader Les Wilson PHF of Maghull and Aughton Rotary Club on 28 March 2009 and return 28 April 2009

They are Left to Right
Clare Robbins- sponsored by the Rotary Club of Welshpool. Clare is a Staff Nurse with the Shropshire County PCT
Corin Hennessy – sponsored by the Rotary Club of Neston. Corin is Deputy Head of Internet services for the NHS Wirral Health Informatics Service.
Les Wilson PHF Les is a recently retired engineer, a past President of his club, Past Chairman of all service committees, and most recently and currently GSE Coordinator for Area 1
Laura Selby – sponsored by the Rotary Club of Liverpool Garston. Laura is Mental Health Operational Services Manager for "Imagine"
Dawn Beech – sponsored by the Rotary Club of Denbigh Dawn is an Environment Officer working with the North Wales Environmental Agency.

Presentation at Chester University

2009-03-22T06:36:00.000-07:00