Bacolod, Philippines; Thursday, November 5As we pulled up to the enclosed compound, the big iron gates opened. "Care Recovery Shelter" was spelled out in thin wire over the doorway. We drove underneath and into the Tuberculous Shelter. {Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that usually attacks the lungs but can also affect the central nervous system, lymphatic system and much more} There, in the screened-in porch, were 35 beautiful faces. They welcomed us into their home with several songs they had prepared. I was deeply moved by their words as they sang, "Though I'm weak and poor, all I have is yours, every single breath." I have heard that song a million times, but never like this. Never with these people in mind. The tears burned in my eyes. These people were found in the slums, weak and poor, on the brink of death, and have been rescued and given a second chance at life. Their once damaged lungs have healed and their breath is now used to sing praises to God. Their despair has subsided...their hope is now in Jesus.
"Tuberculosis is the number one medical problem in the Philippines. For those with critical cases, medication must be coupled with adequate nutrition. Patients who reside at ICM's Care Recovery Shelter are provided three meals a day, monitored medication and counseling support. They also receive education in health care, values and livelihood opportunities to prepare them for success when they return to their families." -ICM
It costs $1,000USD to support one TB Patient, which will literally save their life. Since the economic crisis, ICM has had to cut down on the number of TB patients in the shelter. Last year there were 50 patients and this year they could only take 35. They have a capacity of 50 beds, but lack the monetary support to fill them.
Most TB patients arrive to the shelter just skin and bones.
We spent the morning listening to their stories, as they explained what their lives were like before TB, their thoughts in their darkest moments of their illness and their road to recovery. As they all stood in the doorway, waving their farewells, a million thoughts were running through my head. As I looked back, I saw miracles standing there, for that is what they are...
Bacolod Slums, Philippines; Thursday, November 5When I think of my childhood, it is filled with trees to climb, hay fields to roam, and woods to explore. Not for these children. As I walked through the maze of shanties in the Bacolod Slums, I just kept thinking how there is no privacy in this place. Clothes are hung out to dry, doors are left open, cracks are in the wood, roofs have holes, floors are weak, and there are no locks. We were dodging dripping laundry, jumping over sewage run-off and piles of trash. It was a maze of streets jutting around shanties and trees and big puddles of sewage. And all of the people living within.
We soon had a following of children. We were apparently the main attraction for the afternoon. We all laughed and giggled together as we walked through the streets and made our house visits. They are all so beautiful...
ICM began a program called "Container Farming" which has now multiplied exponentially and has become the livelihood of many families in the slums. The families grow and sell their produce, which brings in money for the family. We saw multiple shanties with these containers outside of their houses. This has been one of the most encouraging signs to the ICM staff, as poor families are taking steps to get themselves out of poverty.
This young girl lives in the slums with her mom and dad and is suffering from some type of meningitis. She has four seizures a day and is currently taking medicine for them. She will need brain surgery sometime in the near future, and to remove the growth on her face, but there is a lack of funding for it. It will probably cost a couple thousand dollars.
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