Children’s Hour benefits barangay Ermita residents

Children’s Hour Cebu held a medical and dental mission in barangay Ermita, Cebu City.

At least 400 children benefited from the medical and dental mission organized by Children’s Hour Cebu last Saturday, Nov. 19 at the gymnasium of barangay Ermita, Cebu City.

In cooperation with the Rotary Club of Cebu Fuente, Cebu City government, Ayala Business Club and REACH Center, the activity included free pulmonary consultations to the 200 children and lecture on the proper toothbrushing to another 200 children.

The patients were given antibiotics, cough syrup, vitamins and paracetamol courtesy of Unilab after the pulmonary procedure.

Darlyn Superales, president of Ayala Business Club and vice chairperson of Children’s Hour Cebu steering committee, said around 50 volunteers from the Ayala Business Club, Rotary Fuente and Reach Center pooled their efforts together towards the success of the event.

The Rotarians gave lecture to the parents on how to prevent breast cancer.

The REACH volunteers engaged the children in a story telling session, while the children gathered at the basketball court, waiting for their consultation.

Each of the children received a bottle of mineral water from Nature’s Spring, a box of cake from Metro Gaisano and hotdogs from Virginia Foods.

Superales said the beneficiaries were chosen by the barangay health workers after undergoing screening.

Superales said the Cebu City health office provided volunteer doctors and dentists.

Superales said outreach mission was their first activity this year since the Children’s Hour campaign was relaunched in Jan. 21, 2011 with presidential sister Ma. Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz, campaign chairperson, in attendance. During the event, Superales said  they were able to raise P1.3 million from the Cebuano community who patronized the charity dinner.

Superales said the campaign seeks to encourage employees to set aside at least an hour of their one year salary to help the marginalized Filipino children have a better life and better access to quality education, quality health and nutrition.

At present, Superales said they are visiting various companies in Cebu, encouraging them to join in the campaign. /EDITORIAL ASSISTANT TITO P. TAN