Operation Hope Extends Help to Apple

Last October 24, 2009, SI Malabon offered help to Apple Bernazer, 12 years old of Barangay Catmon, who was born with an eye problem.

Apple was referred to Dr. Teresa Martinez of Gat Andres Hospital. The doctor will evaluate the condition of Apple’s eyes after undergoing eye examination.

Her parents said they cannot afford the costs of eye surgery because of poverty. Apple hopes that she can also go to school like girls of her age, but blindness hinders her from realizing her dreams to finish her studies and help her parents uplift their way of living soon.

SI Malabon and Operation Smile Bring Back the Smile to Children

Changing lives and healing humanity are the cornerstones of SI Malabon and Operation Smile’s free cleft surgery for indigent Filipino children.

Last August 9, 2009, nine (9) kids were screened by Dr. Willy Go of Manage Care Clinic in Mandaluyong. All of them underwent cleft surgery by Dr. Ricardo Santos the following day.

A child’s facial deformity has an impact on his or her psychosocial development. Children afflicted with facial deformity suffer from speech difficulties, malnutrition, dental and hearing problems and low self-esteem.

Free Pap Smear Test Offered to 183 Women

SI Malabon offered free pap smear test to five (5) barangays in Malabon last August 2009. There were 183 women beneficiaries.

The following barangays and women-beneficiaries got free pap smear tests:

Dampalit – 37

Catmon – 58

Hulong Duhat – 25

Tonsuya – 30

Tinajeros – 33

The project raised awareness on the prevention of diseases such as cervical cancer and HIV/AIDS. SI Malabon members Chona Lazaro, Cora Campos and Lilibeth Chua attended the project.

Operation Wheelchair Gives Hope to Physically-Challenged Kids

On July 25, 2009, SI Malabon donated three (3) wheelchairs to Jessa Francisco, Mila Cordero and Noel Igat of Barangay Santolan , Malabon City.

Jessa and Mila, who both live a few blocks away from each other said that they could now help their mothers sell sampaguita at a church near their place. Noel smiled when he said that he can also help his parents to earn a living because of his wheelchair.

Technical Training for Smoked Fish and Processed Food Products

A technology and livelihood seminar for women who would like to start their home-based business was attended by SI Malabon members on July 24, 2009 at Malabon City Hall.
Technical Training for Smoked Fish and Processed Food Products
SI Malabon members Mirla Guevarra, Cora Ramos, Dolly and Jeannette Mendoza attended said training for smoke fish production (tinapa) and other processed food products.

The food processing seminar was a joint project of the Malabon City Cooperative Development in cooperation with the Department of Trade and Industry (CAMANAVA), the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) NCR.

The seminar consists of three (3) modules namely:

Module I - Good Manufacturing Practice, July 24, 2009
Module II - Product Packaging, Labeling and Trademark, August 7, 2009
Module III- Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), August 20, 2009

This "training the trainers" seminar enables SI Malabon members to know the technology used in smoke fish production from processing to packaging and labeling, as well as hazard analysis.

With the knowledge gained from the seminar, SI Malabon can now train women and girls in the community to process not only tinapa but also various products like bagoong, pichi-pichi, quikiam, puto seko, relyeno, and other sweets. Food processing can also be a good alternative source of income and can be a doable and promising home-based business of women to support their families.