After passing board exams, young nurses of San Pedro College volunteer for Marawi

DAVAO CITY—San Pedro College Nursing graduates received their congratulatory message after passing the board exams and along with it was an invitation to help in the medical mission in Marawi.

And they accepted the invitation.

There are 18 Nursing graduates of San Pedro College who joined the medical and dental mission in Marawi organized by the Archdiocesan Social Action Center (ASAC) Davao together with partner schools who are members of the Davao Association of Catholic Schools last January 26-28.

The young nurses have also invited their friends from other schools to join the said mission to help the evacuees who were affected by the five-month Marawi Siege. It was not only a medical mission but also a gift-giving and it’s the second time that ASAC has organized the same activity in Marawi with the first one made last July 15-17, 2017.

The volunteers organized by ASAC have teamed up with the volunteers of Duyog Marawi during that mission which also offered free optical services. Most of the Duyog Marawi volunteers are Maranaos and they served as their guides and interpreters.

The young nurses and all the women have worn a head scarf or hijab during the medical mission in respect to the Muslim cultural practice of covering the head.

According to Remart Mortalla, one of the team leaders from San Pedro College during the mission, the participation of the young nurses is their way of giving back to the community for the blessing that they received.

“We did not encounter any difficulty in recruiting the volunteers because they were very eager to join the medical mission,” Mortalla said.

‘EVERY SMILE RETURNED TENFOLD’
“If I will be asked to go back for another mission, I would,” said Dewy Rose Escueta in a message sent to DCHerald.

Escueta, who is in the top 10 for the board exam, said that she did not let fear nor evil hinder her desire to serve especially those who need her help.

“For every smile I gave to the Maranao people, it was returned tenfold. We may have different religious beliefs but it should not cause any division,” she said.

“After all, we serve the same God,” she quipped.

SPIRIT OF VOLUNTEERISM
“It was a joy seeing young nurses who have that heart for volunteerism, helping others who are in great need,” said Sr. Ma. Marissa Arado, TDM, ASAC Coordinator.

“I’m happy that they have passed the nursing board and exams. They still offered their help and they don’t treat their being new nurses as hindrance to serve. I know that they all deserve to be called good nurses,” said Sr. Arado.

Fr. Arvin Belen, CMF, who took part in the mission as volunteer said that he also appreciated the young professionals’ dedication to their work. Fr. Belen took the photos of the medical mission in Balindong in Lanao del Sur and Kampo Ranao Datu Saber in Marawi City.

He also lauded them in helping not only in the medical needs of the evacuees but also in the peace-building efforts in this part of Mindanao.