Call for Help
September 11, 2006
Her name is Conchita Pizarras. From Tagbilaran, Bohol, Philippines. She was a mother who had happily seen two daughters – Judy and Jennifer — became nurses who were both able to reach the States and worked here. Soon she herself was able to join them. A year more would have seen her become a full-pledged resident and eligible for benefits.
On June 21, 2006, she was idly talking with Judy, when all of a sudden, Conchita suffered a massive stroke. She died, was resuscitated, sent to Wellington Regional, and ended up in a coma. She was transferred to Azalea Court Nursing & Rehab soon after; it was the only institution who would take her without the assurance of Medicaid coverage, but it charged the family $6,000 per month for her upkeep. She now depends on a trach and a Peg to survive. Family and friends now take turns to stay with her. The immediate family have been slowly selling off property just to subsidize to her care.
It has been decided that the most practical way to give her 24-hour care, until the Lord decides her case, was to send her back to the Philippines. The major snag to this was the staggering amount of money needed to transport her home. The United States is peculiarly particular in this way: a sick person traveling outside the country must be transported in a specific way, and with a complete medical staff with the person. In this instant, such a thing would reportedly cost approximately $150,000.
A good Samaritan heard of their situation and offered the use of his private jet and medical staff, at cost. At cost.
$40,000.
That is how much the family needs to raise right now; for a mother who might as well be our own, for all that she had sacrificed and suffered for her children.
Close friends of the family have set up a fund-raising event, scheduled on September 30, on a Saturday at 7:00 p.m., at the Columbus Hall of Emmanuel Parish Church, Delray Beach, Florida.
We invite one and all, to this Circle of Care event. To help, if you can. If you would. To help defray the cost of sending one mother home.
Whether you can come or not, please help.
For those who cannot come but who sincerely want to help with a check, please send to:
Friends of Santo Nino, Inc.
For: Conchita Pizarras
5250 Jog Lane,
Delray Beach, Fl 33484 OR
Emmanuel Catholic Church
For: Conchita Pizarras
15700 Military Trail
Delray Beach, FL 33484-9130
If you require a receipt for tax purposes, please indicate in a note, and we will provide it through the the auspices of the non-profit organization that we are a part of.
For further inquiries, please use the contact form on this site.
God bless and thank you very much.
What is GK?
November 10, 2005
Less for self, more for others, enough for all!
Gawad Kalinga (GK) , translated in English means “to give care,” and it is an alternative solution to the blatant problem of poverty not just in the Philippines but the world. Its approach is integrated, holistic and sustainable – a concrete action plan to rebuild this nation by harnessing the best of the Filipino – our faith and our patriotism.
What started barely five years ago in the Philippines as a simple but daring initiative by Couples for Christ has now become a growing multi-sectoral partnership driven by a vision of a new Philippines with NO MORE SLUMS. Together with its partners, Gawad Kalinga is now in the process of transforming poverty-stricken areas, many of them now empowered to further improve their quality of life! And the heart-work of GK volunteers is evident in the beautiful colors of the GK homes that have been built for and with the poorest of the poor Filipino families nationwide.
To read more, or to find out what you can do to help, follow this LINK.
Your Visits
October 20, 2005
You are important to us!
Guests and visitors to the site might not have noticed it, but we have omitted putting in a guestbook; not because we do not wish to have you leave a trace of your visit, but because we would prefer to invite you to utilize the COMMENTS section below every posting. Our organization will ever be a “work in progress”, and in this sense, we look forward to constantly getting suggestions on how to improve our Christian service. Every event we, so far, have involved ourselves in have been virtual “firsts”, and, thus, everything will bear analysis, in terms of improvement and innovation.
As you visit, do tell us, if you will, how you think we might best improve the handling of an event. If you are a member or leader of a similar organization, and have, thus, undergone upheavals and joys we have not encountered, share with us your insights and resolutions.
Understand, further, that we do not merely seek to improve our Christian service, such as it is, but we hope that the doing will also provide personal insights into how we might improve our own individual outlooks; round out our continuing yearning for a more complete faith in God and in our fellowmen, and strengthen our resolve in doing more for others than we can.
Use our COMMENTS section for prayer requests, if it be your need — we would consider it a privilege, and part of our calling, to include you in our prayers. Leave us your affirmations, as your hearts dictate — we are few and your encouragements will, no doubt, strengthen the flame of the candles we hold in our hearts.
Visit us, as often as you can, and include us in your own prayers. As it was in the beginning, so shall the prayers and praises of a united multitude ever prove greater than any one person’s thanksgivings and supplications.
God bless you, and yours!
Things Done, Things Worth Doing
August 2, 2005
Medical Mission in Maslog, Leyte, Philippines!
Shown on the pictures above are some of the participants and volunteers of the medical mission. This medical mission was conceptualized and led by FOSNI staff Ms. Bella Simbajon; partly funded from the proceeds of the Mother’s Day Dinner Show held at Emmanuel Church’s Columbus Hall last May 7, 2005.
And the pictures below are some of our sponsors and guests of that same Mother’s Day Dinner.
Giving and receiving can both be a pleasure.