Reyes, Heartly Audrey P.

February 23, 2017

10 – St. Aloysius Mr. Cabeltis

Reflection:
While we were at the outreach last Monday in Tayuman, Manila, we went to the Home of the Orphanage
also known as the Home for the Joy, Home for the Aged, and Home for the Sick. And I was assigned in the
Home of the Aged/Elderly. I felt very shy, nervous, and uncomfortable as soon as I had my first step down the
school service. I thought that we weren’t welcome since we’re not that close with them and we don’t know each
other. But when we entered the institution, to my surprise, they gave us a warmth welcome and a smile on their
faces.
The first thing that I did there was wash their clothes, bed sheets, and etc. Since we were divided into two
groups, there would be a group that would do the Laundry and would do the Apostolate, and after an hour the
groups will exchange tasks. When I was doing the Apostolate, I felt very shy because I don’t know how to
approach them but still, their different stories made me inspired and truly touched my heart. I approached one of
the lola’s, her name is Nanay Berlinda, and she is 93 years old. She is suffering with Arthritis, and couldn’t
even walk anymore. Due to arthritis, she also had a problem with her female genital, that’s why her husband left
her since her husband wants to have a child but she couldn’t bear one. After telling her story, I saw the tears in
her eyes and she told me, “Wala naman akong magagawa kung yun naman ang gusto niya.” with that I felt sad.
I gave the lola a rosary and a scapular and I insisted to be the one to put it on her, after that I saw the joy in her
face. She told me, “Salamat anak, maraming-maraming salamat.” and with that I felt happy also and I felt like
all my problems disappeared because in that short period of time I could make people happy. Another short
story that inspired me was a story from a waray, I can’t remember his name but he is still young, with an age of
30 years old. At his young age, he suffers arthritis also and a heart disease. I asked him, “Kuya, may pag-asa pa
raw po ba kayong gumaling?” and he told me that, “Masakit mang tanggapin pero wala na raw kasi may sakit
ako sa puso.” with that, I felt sad because I saw the trace of sadness in his face, he does really want to be cured.
And again, another story was from a young man, a 40 years old man but I can’t remember his name again. I
asked him, “Kuya, ano pong sakit niyo?” and he told me, “Wala.” with that, I was shocked with what I heard
because as far as I could remember, in the sign board that I read it is clearly stated that it’s an institution for the
sick people. But, the man told me that he was a drug pusher in Quiapo and I saw the cut on his back, almost his
whole back was cut. In my thoughts, I felt that it does hurt a lot.

As my reflection or realization, the institution is not only a home for the sick, but also it’s a rehabilitation
for the addicts. I realized that I could be a good Christian in my own little way/s. By simply washing their
clothes, taking care of them, feeding them, and talking to them even though we don’t know each other. In a
short period of time I felt blessed and happy because I gave happiness to the elderly especially those who are
sick. Through that outreach program, I realized that I am lucky that I am studying in a private school, I don’t
have any disease/sickness, and my family is still with me. My family that is there to protect, help, and guide me
always. With this, the challenge for me is that I need to be sensitive and love my parents while they’re still there
to take care of us every day. And I am very thankful that I don’t have any illness like them. I challenge myself
to do good every day and be thankful for the life that God has given me. And also, be thankful for the clothes
that I wear, food that I eat, shelter that I live in, and a family that is there for me. So as a challenge for us all, let
us follow Christ and be grateful for what we have. Be a model to other Christians since we are all called to be a
Christ to other, and we are called to be a Saint.