THE St. Scholastica's Bacolod Alumnae Foundation Inc. (SSBAFI) is celebrating 15 years of service to its fellowmen.
This social and civic organization has helped thousands of indigent children and adults in the province of Negros Occidental since its creation in 2003.
In their 15 years of existence in the community, it has remained true to its mission by giving the poor and marginalized people of Negros Occidental, a chance at a better life.
Dr. Ma. Antonia Gensoli, chairperson of the Health Committee and Save a Life project-in-charge, said: “if our purpose is to give our people a chance at a better life, then we must start with good health at an early age. Mainly for that reason, our foundation's outreach for health is centered on children.”
“We have helped over 800 kids with conditions ranging from neonatal sepsis to congenital heart disease to lymphoma to severe pneumonia and malnutrition. We do even more preventive care,” she said.
Part of their project is the Aloha Medical Mission where the foundation holds it every year.
Jean Trebol, foundation executive director and coordinator of the Aloha Medical Mission, said that for the past 15 years, volunteer doctors and nurses from the Aloha Medical Mission of Hawaii come to the province and they conduct surgeries and procedures to indigent patients.
“We are honored to do the groundwork for them from gathering patients. We have a partner for this endeavor which is the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental through Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. who provides substantial funding for this annual event...of all our projects, it is the Aloha Medical Mission that has touched the most lives."
SSBAFI officials named Marañon as the Kolasa Servant Leadership awardee during the anniversary dinner on Saturday, November 17 held at Sugarland Hotel where multi-talented Mitch Valdez, who is a Kolasa herself, performed with her singing prowess and comedy.
It was a night of genuine laughter and rekindling of friendship and camaraderie.
Moreover, SSBAFI also provides scholarship grants to deserving students.
Susan Locsin, chairperson of the education committee, said that through the generosity of their friends, they have offered scholarships.
“Indeed, if we have to make meaningful changes in the lives of our children, we have to empower them through education,” Locsin said.
Eleven students have already graduated since they started the scholarship program. In just 15 years, SSBAFI has produced teachers and nurses and a doctor.
The foundation also has a sports program.
Ma. Pilar Mendezona, foundation president and chairperson of the training and development committee, said they teach football to kids in public schools.
“We conduct annual summer clinics and we have our year-round football program open to all kids,” Mendezona said.
“We raised funds to support the players who play outside the province. We do all we can to set the kids up for a good match. Football offers not just physical fitness. It imparts a passion for excellence, ambition, teamwork and camaraderie,” she added.
For all the outreach projects, Christine Vargas, chairperson of the finance committee, said it is remarkable that the foundation has helped so many through the years.
Moreover, the Silver Jubilarians of Batch 1994 organized the Kolasa Cup, the first ever golf tournament participated by 160 golfers.