15 Jul 2021
The wonderful pictures were taken by the OLSH community in Marigondon, Lapu-Lapu City, in the Philippines, where the blessing of a new water system took place in the spring.
The OLSH clinic in Marigondon was established over 20 years ago, offering healthcare to the poor in the region. The facility is mainly for maternity care, but also caters to the general community in caring for medical issues. People travel from surrounding villages, and even from other islands located close by, to access the health services facilitated by the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart here.
Malnutrition is a significant issue in the area, due to a combination of poverty and a lack of awareness regarding proper diet. This problem is particularly prevalent in children, pregnant women, and the elderly, and the OLSH Sisters at the Marigondon Clinic do their best to offer effective treatment, with an established feeding programme in place, along with essential education on nutrition.
The clinic offers pre-natal examinations for pregnant women, and many of these expectant mothers go on to give birth in the facility. Women who may be experiencing issues or difficulties are referred to local hospitals, with financial assistance from the OLSH community, and these ladies are often transported for hospital care in the official clinic vehicle.
While patients await their medical consultation, they are given instruction and education in terms of nutrition and self-care. Expectant mothers are instructed in taking proper care of themselves and their babies, with strict attention on the personal hygiene of both mother and child.
In addition to the provision of vital healthcare, the clinic also offers employment opportunities to many local people in need of work, from the construction of buildings to the establishment of factories.
The blessing of the new water system at the OLSH clinic in Marigondon, in the Philippines. (Image via @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
The blessing of the new water system at the OLSH clinic in Marigondon, in the Philippines. (Image via @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
The blessing of the new water system at the OLSH clinic in Marigondon, in the Philippines. (Image via @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
The new water system was blessed at the end of March, with great joy and gratitude. With this new system in place, guaranteeing better hygiene facilities, the OLSH Sisters at the clinic are able to continue their dedicated work in caring for expectant mothers, new families, and the general community in Marigondon and beyond, bringing “hope and light” to “poor and sometimes hopeless patients”.
The blessing of the new water system at the OLSH clinic in Marigondon, in the Philippines. (Image via @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
The blessing of the new water system at the OLSH clinic in Marigondon, in the Philippines. (Image via @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
The blessing of the new water system at the OLSH clinic in Marigondon, in the Philippines. (Image via @mscmissionphil on Facebook.)
Images via the MSC Mission Office Philippines, Inc. on Facebook, and the Daughters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Australia website.