Project Philippines 2012 (Cebu)

When: August 5 – August 23, 2012
Location: Cebu City, Cebu, Philippines
Email: pp12-cebu [at] sealnetonline.org
Project Leaders: Xun Luo, Ross Pineda
Project Blog: projectphilippines.sealnetonline.org/blog

Executive Summary

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in the world today. In 2008, the World Health Organization (WHO) attributed nearly two thirds of deaths worldwide to NCDs; and in the Philippines, it constituted 61% of all deaths. The vast majority of NCDs are chronic, lifestyle-related diseases, and in the Philippines they remain a persistent problem that could ultimately be prevented. Our project will address the issue of chronic lifestyle-related diseases with emphasis on Type II Diabetes
Mellitus and Cardiovascular Disease.

PP12 aims to work with several local partners and both high school and college students in order to address the issue from a public health standpoint. We will be educating the community about the dangers and complications of these diseases, as well as methods of prevention through changes in diet, exercise and other lifestyle behaviours. PP12’s end goal is to facilitate healthier habits in the Philippines by raising the priority of living a healthy lifestyle.

At the same time, PP12 will be working extensively with the high school students to develop and sharpen their leadership skills, shaping them into future community leaders. In the Philippines, as in any country, there is a great need for truly passionate, homegrown, and service-oriented leaders. It is our hope that through PP12, these students gain both the tools and motivation to reach their potential.

Community Challenge

A disproportionate amount of deaths caused by noncommunicable diseases occur in low- and middle income countries. The WHO survey in 2008 found that 61% of deaths in the Philippines were attributed to non-communicable diseases, 50% of which were caused by cardiovascular disease and 7% caused by diabetes. This NCD mortality figure has since increased over the recent years from 57% in 2002. The fact of the matter is that NCDs ultimately lead to unnecessary health consequences and premature deaths. They are, however, largely preventable through basic interventions that address shared risk factors, specifically: tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol. In the end, one of the best ways to address these non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes is through prevention and education.

Approach and Method

High School Leadership:

Meet and brief local returning college students on their role in PP12.
Form mentor-mentee relationships between university students and the high school students.
Survey high school students to identify leadership skills they want to improve and use that to plan, organize and execute workshops that work to enhance and nurture those and other important leadership skills.
Gawad Kalinga representatives will hold several talks with the high school students, describing Gawad Kalinga, its mission, and both introducing and elaborating on the ideals of social enterprise and community-oriented service leadership.

Gawad Kalinga Community Health Education Campaign:

Visit GK community and assess the extent of the issue of cardiovascular disease and diabetes to begin formulating educational campaign.
With the aid of CIM students, educate the high school students and GK partners about the issue at hand and oversee their creation of media to be used to educate the community through mediums including a health fair and lessons in elementary schools.
Implement education campaigns in both GK community as well as elementary schools.
Develop community events and check-ups to be implemented by local partners post PP12.

Local Partners

PP12 will continue working with partners from last year’s and past Project Philippines. This includes the Cebu Institute of Medicine, two local high schools located in Cebu (University of the Philippines Cebu High School & Cebu City National Science High School), and Gawad Kalinga, an NGO in the Philippines that aims to reduce poverty and improve health conditions. In addition, we plan to create partnerships with new high schools from different locales to foster the creation of more SEALNet outlets. Students from both high schools will also be working with two local elementary schools, Lahug and Labangon Elementary, by planning and implementing their own health campaign.

Team Member Responsibilities

Participate in and contribute to all parts of the project
Mentoring high school students in leadership skills
Facilitating and organizing leadership workshops
Learning about non-communicable and lifestyle disease
Help develop media and health education campaign
Spread awareness about chronic disease and promote healthier lifestyle choices
Help FUNdraise for the project

Team Member Qualifications

Responsible and team-centered attitude
Passion towards helping the community and others
Interest in teaching others
Openness to experiencing other cultures
Good communication and leadership skills
Confidence and readiness to speak his/her mind
Commitment to the project and its goals
Positive and open mind