Page 33 - EMBRACE Book

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Queenie, Philippines

“I’m a nurse with the GIDA (geographically isolated and
distant areas) program. As you can see, I work in the really
remote areas.

I first heard about the EMBRACE project from the
communities I was working in. I saw the improvements in
nutrition through the gardening training and the classes. I
saw the improvements in hygiene and sanitation, as well. I
was very curious about the project. I thought what they
were doing was very positive. They didn’t just teach the
community about everyday life but also about work.

As a nurse, I would wait for the Department of Health to
conduct trainings. Those were really rare. Then ADRA
through EMBRACE began training nurses and midwives. I
feel that we are really equipped now as professionals.

I especially appreciated the training I received for the
youth. These trainings taught me how to help the youth
figure out what they want in life, from work to family. I
think this training really helped me do my job well because
of the teenage pregnancies I see. The training addressed
the issues involved in teenage pregnancy and how to help
the youth in that kind of circumstance. There was an
instance where a girl, 19 years old, came to me just
yesterday. I feel I counselled her well, thanks to the training
I had received. The girl now feels that she knows what she
needs to do. I learned a lot through ADRA, and I’ve noticed
a difference in my work.

In addition to trainings, ADRA has really helped us to do
our jobs better with equipment. They distributed blood
pressure apparatuses and fetal dopplars. Now we can do
better pre-natal check-ups. The barangay health stations
now also have beds. They also received a sterilization unit.

I’m really thankful to the donors for EMBRACE and all that
it has done for us.”

Photo: © 2019 ADRA | Frank Spangler