A health awareness activity was held at St. Alfred’s Church, Shatin, to let community members understand how the Body Mass Index are related to their health problems. Designed by Sister Mary Cordero osf, formerly a registered nurse in the Philippines, the activity was meant to help promote health awarness and was an apostolate in continuation of the Mercy Sunday celebration the week before.
The event was jointly organised by the One in Christ Prayer Group and the Catholic Migrant Community of the parish, and was supported by the Social Justice for Migrant Workers Group and the Taipo Group Medical Mission.
The afternoon was kicked off with a prayer service wherein the members chanted the Chaplet of Divine Mercy after the Tagalog Mass.
The parish hall that day was divided into different stations. One was arranged for measuring the height, two for measuring body weight and checking the Body Mass Index. Participants availing of this free service were asked to fill up a form about their daily life habits.
On the other part of the hall were eight stations used for free blood pressure checking. Volunteers that day included first aider, experienced midwife and caregivers. They said they were so grateful for this event as it was also an opportunity for them to put into action their learned skills.
Participants who had their weight and blood pressure checked also said they were thankful as it gave them a call of awareness to their body’s condition. Around ninety persons availed themselves to these free check-ups.
Connie Alabado, coordinator of One in Christ Prayer Group, mentioned that this is helpful to the OFWs because not all have their body check. “Even though what being done were simple yet they were very helpful.” She hopes that there will be more activities like this one and a blood sugar test will be added in the agenda.
At the end, Sister Cordero and parish priest Father Slawomir Kalisz omi gave thanks to all who took part. SE
