Smiles on Wheels, early Christmas cheers

Last November 30, Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle and Andres Bonifacio Day, two groups of kindhearted people partnered with each other to bring early Christmas cheers to children with disabilities -specifically children with mobility problems. The Physicians for Peace Philippines (PFPP), whose vision is “to be a recognized non-governmental organization strengthening health systems to address health service inequity”, and the Rotary Club of Naga (RC Naga) donated customized wheelchairs to 17 children at the John Paul II Hall, Immaculate Conception Parish (ICP), Naga City, whose Parish Priest, Fr. Domingo Florida, is a rotarian. The children-beneficiaries belong to poor families from different areas of Naga, namely Cararayan, Karangahan, Concepcion, and from neighboring municipalities like Pili and Milaor, Camarines Sur. The children came accompanied by their parents and family members. Some frowns and tears emanated from the faces of some of the children as they sat on the chairs. Eventually, however, the frown and tears turned to smiles. Smiles also became evident in the faces of the parents and family members of the recipients. One of the mothers, teary-eyed, said: “Thank you for giving my daughter a car.” Another said: “Thank you for the early Christmas gift.” Representatives of the Physicians for Peace Walking Team traveled from Manila to bring the wheelchairs. Lynne Abanilla, CEO of PFPP, related that giving wheelchairs to the children with mobility problems is, for her, a very fulfilling mission. A reason why she personally supervises the group’s outreach.