Outreach Activities

The 2023 AFICS Philippines Outreach Team Programme exceeded expectations once again with the successful Pabongga sa Bingo event held at two homes for the elderly! The first location was the Anawim Lay Mission Home for the Elderly in Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal, held on May 9, 2023; followed by the Bahay Kanlungan ni Maria Domenica run by the Camillian Sisters in Antipolo City held on May 16 2023.

Bahay Kanlungan cares for elderly women whose families are unable to attend to them.  A number have been abandoned or neglected by their relatives due to financial incapacity or other reasons.  Some are supported by their relatives who, however, cannot take them under their care due to family or work situations and limited financial capacity.  They are provided by the Camillian Sisters with home, nutritional food, medical and rehabilitation and spiritual services.

Anawim Lay Mission Home for the Elderly in Rodriguez (Montalban), Rizal is a non-governmental organization founded by bro. Bo Sanchez, which provides sanctuary and comfort to elderly who have been abandoned or neglected by their families. 

The bingo event, held as part of the Mother's Day celebration, brought joy and laughter toapproximately 80 senior mothers, many of whom were wheelchair-bound. The Outreach project distributed  food and various bingo prizes of summer shirts, shawls, duster, slippers, mugs and toothbrushes. In addition, the  AFICS Philippines Outreach Team was able to distribute donations that included two wheelchairs, two wall fans, two solar lights with solar panels, three solar emergency lamps, outdoor multi - function portable flashlights or camping lights, 34 packs of adult diapers, 40 tote bags, 40 summer shirts, 15 boxes of face masks, rice, sugar, cooking oil, barako coffee, underpads, pillows and 5-shelf plastic drawers.

Through Dr. Linda Milan, AFICS-PHI was able to mobilize donation of medicines from Department of Health (DOH) that are  commonly used for geriatric disease like high-blood pressure and diabetes; antibiotics; and vitamins.

Apart from these gifts and donations, AFICS' former President Ed Ortega provided a merienda of McDonald's hamburger, French fries and juice to celebrate his birthday and the event ended with lunch of pancit, puto and lumpiang Shanghai hosted by AFICS.

Indeed, another day of creating special memories, seeing the elderly feel less lonely and socially isolated, and more emotionally engaged. The AFICS team felt grateful too seeing the residents feel happier, cared for, and given the interaction they need to boost their morale, overall health and happiness

The successful outreach events for the senior mothers were organized by the AFICS Outreach Committee, led by Jana Ricasio and her teammates Rencee Tayzon, Danny Carlos, Socorro Reyes, Linda Milan and Anna Senga. In attendance to these  events were President  Thetis Mangahas, ex-President Ed Ortega and his spouse Medy, and Lois Villanueva.