As part of the week-long celebration of the feast of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu (NSDA), the Catholic Women’s League and the Social Service and Human Development Ministry, organized an Optical Mission at the NSDA Parish Hall last August 4, Sunday.
Among the invited organizations were the Marikina Valley Medical Society, headed by Dr. Gloria de Guzman, and the Pediatrics Society of the Philippines – Marikina Chapter, headed by Dr. Monalisa Lopez.
The Marikina Valley Medical Society is an organization of community service doctors based within the Marikina City. They brought 9 doctors and 4 auxiliaries, who were able to service a total of 192 adults aging from about 40 to 60. After assessment the patients, reading glasses were handed out. If any of the checked adults showed signs of eye related problems, they were referred to colleagues, whom the patients can visit at their covenience. Meanwhile, the Pediatrics Society of the Philippines – Marikina Chapter is also an organization of community service doctors. They were able to check a total of 46 children aged 6 to 10. 30 of the pediatric patients failed their vision screening. These children will be further assessed at Rizal Medical Center for their need of prescription lenses.
The organizers of this Optical Mission, the Catholic Women’s League and the Social Service and Human Development Ministry, shall then be in charge of procuring the eyeglasses for these children. The service lasted from 8am to noon. 34 volunteers from the Catholic Women’s League were dispatched to assist in the optical mission.
By the end of the Optical Mission, a total of 238 people got their vision checked and assessed.
It was charity without limits, and the Shrine and Parish of Nuestra Señora de Aranzazu was truly blessed with the presence of these selfless doctors who gave their time and effort to give free service to those in need.
All goes well for one who lends generously, who is honest in all his dealing; for all time to come he will not stumble, for all time to come the upright will be remembered. Psalm 112:5-6
(Maria Gia Dueñas)
