Twenty Filipinos of all ages received essential dental and medical care and gifts as part of an initiative aiming to address health concerns and offer a boost to struggling expatriates in the community.
Routine checkups were carried out by nurses and medical professionals from Royal Bahrain Hospital and KIMSHEALTH Medical Centre.
The event, organised by the Filipino American Association of Bahrain (Fil Am Bahrain), was held at the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) to give assistance and support to overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) seeking refuge at the Philippine embassy in Manama.
“One of our fundamental missions is to serve our community,” Fil Am Bahrain’s president Orlando Fontanilla said in a statement.
“The event showcased the importance of community organisations supporting Filipino workers abroad by offering immediate assistance and to also provide a sense of belonging and identity to them.
“We must not also forget the help of our Fil Am members and teams of dedicated volunteers who worked tirelessly and shared their resources to assist and support individuals in need,” he added.
As part of the initiative to bring hope to the OFWs and young children, Fil Am Bahrain’s outreach chairwoman encouraged those who had faced trials and tribulations to ‘keep going’.
“Do not lose hope and never give up,” she said. “We will always be here to support you, and it’s important that you keep your faith in God and pray, as these are the best tools to overcome life’s challenges.”
Meanwhile, a general dentist at KIMSHEALTH Medical Centre Dr Kristin Villanueva highlighted the importance of medical professionals getting involved and sacrificing their time for the greater good.
“Volunteering in medical missions is always rewarding and fulfilling for me,” she said, adding that it’s crucial to offer your time, especially to those who are underprivileged, as they are usually grappling with issues that often go unaddressed.
“By taking part in these kinds of initiatives, I am also getting the opportunity to learn new skills and enhance the ones I already have,” she added.
The day was made possible through the generous contributions from Fil Am Bahrain members, as well as support of local sponsors and partners.
Some Fil Am officers who were present during the activity include Joselito Sarmiento, vice president internal Reign Gumiran, vice president external Diana Magallano, secretary Romeo Tagulao, treasurer together with board of directors Bong Guanlao, Vic Cabali and Alex Lamis.
julia@gdnmedia.bh
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