HFA '86 Quick Assistance to Ondoy Victims

by: Carmen Girlie Lucas Baluyut

October 2009 -- Staying true to form, HFA HS Batch 86 quickly called on all batch mates to step up and reach out to the recent victims of typhoon Ondoy. As a result, there was an outpour of financial donations (including those from our friends at CS- HS Batch 86). After a quick meeting of our officers, it was decided to channel our funds through the relief efforts of Fr. Roger Yambao, parish priest of Candaba, Pampanga.

HFA HS Batch 86 was informed that the immediate need of the victims was nutritious food; therefore our donation was used to purchase ingredients for champorado, arrozcaldo andsopas. Because most of the homes affected were still waterlogged if not submerged, a makeshift soup kitchen was built to accommodate the preparation of the food that was distributed to the evacuees. Our donation fed an estimation of nearly 500 people.

Again, we extend our gratitude to Fr Yambao and the many volunteers for their valiant efforts. We would also like to thank our batch mates both from HFA-86 and CS-86 for their contributions and quick response that helped alleviate in our own little way the conditions of those devastated by typhoon Ondoy.

Little Pleasures at Munting Tahanan of Nazareth

By: Lyn Lumanlan

We arrived at Munting Tahanan of Nazareth located at Dau, Mabalacat, Pampanga on the 28^th of February and the children were at the foyer, enjoying the comfort of outdoors.

They are no ordinary children, they are special. They are children with Down Syndrome, abandoned by their parents who could no longer attend to their needs. They watched us with their biggest smiles, as if they were accustomed to us and some of them clapped their hands with amusement.

We started preparing the lunch which we brought along. It was ten in the morning and we were told that they usually take their meal at this time of the day. Those who can walk were led to the dining hall but the wee ones who were fastened in their wheel chairs were taken at the backyard.

The HFA girls volunteered to feed the debilitated. It was really heartbreaking to see them. The children gorged the food as if it was the last meal and some asked for extras.

These children showed pleasure in the little thing we had to give. It made us realized the incalculable blessings we received yet, we fail to recognize.

Some facts about Down Syndrome

Down syndrome symptoms vary from person to person and can range from mild to severe. However, children with Down Syndrome have a widely recognized characteristic appearance.

The head may be smaller than normal and abnormally shaped. For example, the head may be round with a flat area on the back. The inner corner of the eyes may be rounded instead of pointed.

Common physical signs include:

• Decreased muscle tone at birth
• Excessive skin at the nape of the neck
• Flattened nose
• Separated sutures (joints between the bones of the skull)
• Single crease in the palm of the hand
• Small ears
• Small mouth
• Upward slanting eyes
• Wide, short hands with short fingers
• White spots on the colored part of the eye
• 
  

Physical development is often slower than normal. Most children with Down syndrome never reach their average adult height. Children may also have delayed mental and social development. According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, most persons with Down syndrome have mild to moderate mental retardation.

Many different medical conditions are seen in babies born with Down syndrome, including

• Birth defects involving the heart such as an atrial septal defect or ventricular septal defect
• Eye problems such as cataracts
• Gastrointestinal blockages such as esophageal atresia and duodenal atresia
• Hearing problems
• Hip dislocation
• Sleep apnea
• Underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism

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Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network)