Page 8 - Beacon 6-5-15

8 June 5, 2015 www.aerotechnews.com/marcharb

Airman volunteers to help those less fortunate

by Master Sgt. Julie Avey
163 RW public affairs

Thousands of miles away in remote Philippine villages there are families who Courtesy photo
lack access to medication and basic health care. The medical needs of the people in
the Philippines are tremendous, especially in the rural areas, where many suffer from Master Sgt. Cesar Jurilla, 163rd Communications Squadron, California Air Na-
treatable ailments. tional Guard, March Air Reserve Base, and his wife Cora volunteer and travel an-
nually to remote villages in the Philippines as a part of a medical mission with the
Every January for the past five years, Master Sgt. Cesar Jurilla, 163rd Commu- Filipino Ministry of the Diocese San Bernardino in cooperation with Bishop Gerald
nications Squadron, California Air National Guard, March Air Reserve Base, and Barnes Diocese of San Bernardino. Jurilla and his wife are part of a team of 25-50
his wife Cora travel to these remote locations. They are part of a team of 25-50 doctors, nurses and non-medical assistants who volunteer to give back to less
doctors, nurses and non-medical assistants who volunteer with the Filipino Min- fortunate while discovering and rediscovering Filipino roots through indigenous
istry of the Diocese San Bernardino in cooperation with Bishop Gerald Barnes people in the Philippines.
Diocese of San Bernardino.
went out to take a group photo, someone stole their antibiotics.
“A goal of the medical mission trip is to discover and rediscover Filipino roots
through indigenous people in the Philippines – to know their health situation and to “I have to be aware for safety and security as well. I keep accountability of our
respond to their medical needs,” said Jurilla.
doctors, nurses and non-medical people. At the same time I work with the local
Most of the patients are kids, mothers and senior citizens because the adult men
are working out in the rice fields. However, the volunteers have previously treated people, local security and local volunteers because they speak the dialect. I let them
12-year-olds for back pains from working in the rice fields before going to school.
know what is needed,” said Jurilla.
The team sets up in one location for a couple of days then moves to another lo-
cation. About 500 patients are treated each day for anything from infections, head- Through the assistance of contacts in the Philippines, the team decides where they
aches, stomachaches and even malnutrition. At one location, people from four or five
villages will seek treatment, with some walking very far distances. will set up before making the journey overseas. Local priests survey the locations

A typical day begins with Jurilla loading all the medicines in the vehicle and driv- most in need and assign numbers for the patients to show up at a designated time.
ing to the location to set up the different stations so when the doctors, nurses and
pharmacy staff arrive everything is ready. “We don’t want to deal with the red tape and waste time,” said Jurilla. “It is not for

“In the mornings, there is a lot of preparation. Non-medical people like me us to…choose who can or can’t be seen.”
are in charge of logistics and setting up. I help calm the patients and assure them
that everyone will be seen. I tell them not to rush and not to push,” he said. “After The medical expenses all come from donations and fundraisers. The expenses for
they’re seen by the doctor and get their prescriptions, they crowd the pharmacy
because they’re afraid they won’t get their medicine. If we run out of medicine the team members are all out See VOLUNTEERS page 9
for patients, we will donate our personal stuff like aspirin because it’s difficult to
refuse villagers who walk two to three hours to get to us, but they arrive late so MVPLWK8SKRĄWÏ\ FraMmaercShhop
most of the medicine is gone.”
Located just north of
An inventory of medication is conducted at the end of every day to help determine March ARB entrance
what will be needed for the next mission.
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“After the pharmacy collects the prescriptions we account for what medicine we “One-Stop Shop” for ...
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There are always lessons learned,” said Jurilla. Display Cases, Rubber Stamps,

Jurilla has to expect the unexpected sometimes and works with local security to Architectural Signage, Artwork/Posters,
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