At 7:00 A.M. Peacemakers’ group took off from the office with two vans full of medicines and relief goods. There was thunderstorm and then rain started to pour from the dark gray sky. For a moment we thought there would be a set back, but miraculously the rain stopped shortly after we reached the mission site, Maharlika Village. At 8:30 A.M. the sky gave way to the sun just in time for us to finish setting up and welcome the groups of mothers who brought all their children 12 years old and below. Volunteers established order from the gate of the tennis court where control numbers were released to the patients on our list. Patients were then ushered to the covered area with ushers guiding the patients to the registry and then to the entrance of the medical area where their vital signs were recorded. Past this area 13 doctors were seated behind tables to examine the patients who were assigned to them by ushers. From here they moved to the pharmacy where they received the prescribed medicines. Next was the relief goods distribution before they the exited through the gate. The process flowed  smoothly  and efficienty   It was amazing that so many women and chiIdren were cramped in a small area but humbly and peacefully flowed in unexpected discipIine.

An exciting highlight of the morning was the signing of the memorandum of agreement between the Office of the Muslim Affairs under the President of the Philippines and Peacemakers Circle Foundation, Inc. to formalize their partnership in the endeavor of building peaceful and harmonious relationships among Muslims of different tribes in grassroots communities, and among Muslims and Christians in Metro Mania

The whole  affair was covered by media from GMA Network to be shown in the prime time newscast Citizens Patrol

Heartwarming support was given by the following organizations:

Young Moro Professionals             
Interfaith Center for CuIture of Non VioIence   (ICCN)    
Center for Moderate MusIims
Fr. Andre De Bleeker of CICM
Office of the President on Muslim Affairs
St. Joseph Parish of Upper Bicutan        
Aksyon Para Sa Kapayapaan at Katarungan (AKAPKKA)    
Billah Islam                                               
Office of the Mayor of Taguig City                                           
Hindu & Sikh Community
ABS-CBN   
Barangay Maharika                                                   
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Salaam Police
Franciscan Missionaries of Mary

We were able to collect over 300 bags of assorted used clothes, 20 boxes of assorted medicines for children and some cash. These were the missionary volunteers- 113 medical doctors, 2 nurses, 1 vet.med., and 30 local volunteers.

It was amazing that we were able to service 533 pediatric patients and were able to distribute relief packs to 271 families

Fire swallowed the homes of this Muslim community in JuIy 2005. It was almost unbelievable when we learned that our group was the first to conduct a  medical mission in this area. The community was quite notorious as dangerous where drug trafficking was common. Anyone who ventured to go there had to bring a gun to protect himself.  It was no wonder that  Muslims in other communities would not go there for whatever reason.

At about 3 30  PM our group was almost ready to leave the place. Only love and compassion registered in the faces of the volunteers and on everyone who went there to lend a hand. As I looked around I saw smiles of satisfaction for it was such an exhilirating feeling to have been able to touch the lives of so many specially the sick and undernourished children. When we asked the volunteers if they would join us for another medicaI mission in the area, the answer was a resounding   - YES!           

My heart overfows with love and joy as I share this magnificent experience with you. We at Peacemakers Circle are now in the process of evaluating possible services we can share in the very near future with these our Muslim brothers and sisters and their children.

Lee Sabarre
PR & Marketing Officer
THE PEACEMAKERS' CIRCLE - URI CC