Rotarians from all over the world ushered in Rotary Year 2012-2013 with various activities focusing on the theme “Peace Through Service.”
In Cebu, the Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente (RCCF) – District 3860 has been working with different organizations for their various projects and medical missions since April.
Summertime being the perfect time to conduct “Operation tuli (circumcision),” the club headed by its president Tina Bacalso and the Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente-Community Based, gave their support to the Philippine Institute of Civil Engineers by volunteering in the medical mission/operation tuli held at the University of San Jose-Recoletos Basak campus on April 28. They were able to serve 108 out of the 140 young boys who registered.
Less than a week later or on May 1, members of the two clubs traveled to Santa Fe, Bantayan Island for a medical community outreach held the next day at the municipal gymnasium. Organized by Singapore-based organization, Life! Community Development headed by Pat Loh and Paglaum led by Marisol Foley, the outreach mission provided free basic medical services, including medicines to the more than 200 residents of Santa Fe and its neighboring areas. RCCF past president Dr. Julio Gonzales and some rotaractor-nurses volunteered their time to provide medical services.
A few days before summer vacation came to a close, the rotarians and rotaractors braved the rough roads leading to barangay Tubod, Sibonga town in southern Cebu on May 19 where they spearheaded a medical mission and operation tuli at Tubod Elementary School, in partnership with the Philippine College of Surgeons and Philippine Society of General Surgeons headed by Dr. Shawn Espina and barangay officials. Aside from the operation tuli that benefited 75 residents, other services were eye consultations rendered by the medical team from Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Eye Center headed by rotarian Jane Frias to the 120 patients, minor surgery (cyst removal) to 12 patients, and medical consultations to 150 adults and children.
Other organizations who volunteered in the mission were Qualfon led by rotarian Maricel Amores, the REACH teachers headed by Lady Sandra Espina, wife of RCCF past district governor Yumi Espina, and other civic organizations.