Volunteer of the Month

January 2017 Featured Volunteer: Mamel Vicencio

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TRF’s Volunteer of the Month for January 2017 is Carmel “Mamel” Vicencio!

Mamel is a nurse by education but a teacher and a creative at heart. She shares her many talents with TRF, including (but not limited to!) writing, teaching, marketing, & her knowledge and skills as a nurse. We are so grateful for her passion and help.

Q&A with MAMEL

How did you come to volunteer for TRF?

I came to TRF from the suggestion of my then doctor. She knew that, despite the unwillingness of practicing my profession (as a nurse), my heart still cares for the elderly. I saw that TRF brings relief mostly to their age group, so I went.

What were your expectations as a volunteer?

When I answered the online application form, I put a mark on anything I thought I could offer as a service. I was eager to receive a call. In short, I wasn’t as nervous… until the first day of joining the home visit! I cringed each time I thought I wasn’t qualified for any nursing functionality, but the good thing was, I wasn’t treated just as an accessory. I was with Nurse Mitch for my first encounter, and I felt welcomed like a colleague.

Describe the activities you volunteered for. Why did you choose them?

I volunteered for mostly office work. I did marketing, clerical work, anything artistic; and even “happy room”. I chose to volunteer for those because they’re what I love doing… anything except providing nursing care.

The funny thing here is, I actually scrapped nursing as a skill until Ms. Iso (the volunteer coordinator) oriented me. Walang takas! But, look where I am now — feeling fulfilled from my home visits!

How has the experience changed your life? What are your key reflections/lessons?

I will never get tired of learning that happiness comes from the mere action of being kind. Having Bipolar Disorder II, the ratio of good days to bad is 2 or 3 out of 40 — but my number of good days are growing. Days with TRF are happier; I am happier. TRF and their patients may need me, but I am the one who needs their service more!

Thank you Mamel!

December 2016 Featured Volunteer: Bless Abal

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TRF’s Volunteer of the Month for December 2016 is Bless Abal!

Bless is a former sales consultant in her early 30s who heard of The Ruth Foundation through common friends and connections. After she joined, her presence has been a warm comfort to patients and the medical team alike.

Q&A with BLESS

How did you come to volunteer for TRF?

My cousin Nurse Jelai told me about the foundation.

Describe the activities you volunteered for. Why did you choose them?

I volunteered for joining home visits, since I have background in taking vital signs and physical assessment from my college days.

How has the experience changed your life? What are your key reflections/lessons?

I expected to just help get the vital signs of our patients and do my best to help them. However, when you get to know the patients and fulfill their needs, you feel warm inside. And it feels good.

This experience also helped me understand more about the nature of palliative healthcare in the Philippines, which needs more focus. I’m thankful to be a part of The Ruth Foundation.

 Thank you Bless!

September 2016 Featured Volunteer: Cottie del Rosario

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TRF’s Volunteer of the Month for September 2016 is Cottie del Rosario!

A retired church worker who loves to bake, Cottie servant-heartedly uses her studies and experience in church as a venue to counsel and pray for our patients. She faithfully volunteers with us once a week and is a jolly and dedicated member of our team.

Q&A with COTTIE

How did you come to volunteer for TRF?

Nurse Mitch informed me that TRF was looking for a spiritual counselor last summer of 2016. I readily said yes and since then I became a part of the TRF volunteer pool.

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Describe the activities you volunteered for. Why did you choose them?

I volunteered as a counselor. Since I studied to be one, I think that I can effectively help in TRF by rendering counseling services.

What were your expectations as a volunteer?

All of my expectations as a spiritual counselor were met. Looking forward though, I would like to be involved more in one-on-one counseling. That way I can help patients and their family members more, journeying with them as they face difficult challenges in life.

How has the experience changed your life? What are your key reflections/lessons?

No matter what situation a person is going through, bringing the love of God to them by listening to what they feel and praying for them makes such a difference.nThis experience has stirred up my compassion for others so much. I always feel my heart smiling after each home visitation.

I have also come to realize that since our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, we should take good care of it by choosing to eat healthy.

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Thank you Cottie!

August 2016 Featured Volunteer: Loida Gutierrez

TRF’s Volunteer of the Month for August 2016 is Loida Gutierrez!

A registered nurse pursuing her doctorate in counseling, Loida has been helping out with The Ruth Foundation for several months. She has assisted our in-house social workers and counselors in assessing the situations of our patients and their families.

Q&A with LOIDA

How did you come to volunteer for TRF?

A few months back, I had already been thinking of finding somewhere to volunteer. Then a colleague from the College of Nursing-DLSHSI, Dr. Resty Tan, introduced me to TRF (The Ruth Foundation). Feeling that God has already done many great and good things in my life, I found it necessary to share this with others by getting involved with the foundation’s advocacy.

What were your expectations as a volunteer?

I volunteered because I felt the work would increase my awareness and sensitivity to the many people who feel helpless and hopeless – the people who are silently seeking and craving for help.

Describe the activities you volunteered for. Why did you choose them?

Since I am studying for a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology, being part of the TRF counseling group became a good option.

How has the experience changed your life? What are your key reflections/lessons?

I am privileged to be used by God in this ministry. To God be the glory! And my sincere appreciation to TRF.

Thank you Loida!

February 2016 Featured Volunteer: Flip Carlos

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TRF’s Volunteer of the Month for February 2016 is Florencia “Flip” Carlos.

She has been with The Ruth Foundation since 2014 and is a reliable member of the volunteer pool. She consistently shows up when she is scheduled for visits and speaks her mind for the greater good of the team.

Q&A with FLIP

How did you come to volunteer for TRF?

I actually learned about TRF even before it was established. Nanay Ruth* mentioned it to me when Doc Mae was still brainstorming plans to put up the foundation. I’m glad that nanay Ruth was still alive when the foundation started.

I began to volunteer at TRF just after I retired.

What were your expectations as a volunteer?

To be of value to the community and be relevant to the society.

Describe the activities you volunteered for. Why did you choose them?

Home Visits. While it may be tiring at times, it gives me a sense of accomplishment that I am able to help mankind and be of service even in my senior age. I also learned a lot on the different aspects and kinds of illnesses.

What are your key reflections/lessons? How has the experience changed your life?

Every person needs care in one way or the other. As a person ages, he/she becomes vulnerable and sensitive. With the home visits experiences I had, I begin to understand more of the sensitiveness being a senior.

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Thank you Flip!

*Nanay Ruth is the mother-in-law of TRF’s president and CEO, Dr. Mae Corvera. A compassionate social worker, her great deeds of service serve as inspiration to the team. She was a great encouragement to everyone at The Ruth Foundation until she passed away in 2014.