An exciting start to this week – Monday was a National Holiday and the National Department of Health in hopes of having some mothers and children attend – who would not otherwise be able to attend – staged a “kick-off of the infant injected polio campaign” in Paranaque (a southern Suburb of Manila) who has had a very successful record of getting their children immunized on-time – in the past. We attended this event with both our Service Missionary Couple (the Soleta’s) and the Area Public Affairs Couple (the Pyles’.) The Director of National DOH, the Mayor, Other National Legislative Members, & City Council hosted the event. The Church (LDS Charities) and Other NGO’s (World Health, UNICEP, Rotary International, REACT, etc.) were invited to attend, make remarks of support, and help where possible. Our little stuffed (blue bear/dogs with Mormon Helping Hands vests) toys were given to the children as they were immunized – the toys seems to comfort them when nothing else seems to. Others of the toys were given to all of the children under the age of five - in showing our support - of making the Philippines Polio Free – NOW! The Mayor was wonderful and the DOH Leadership continues to show us their full support and friendship as we help them in their efforts to protect the citizens of the Philippines from avoidable diseases like Measles and Polio. We have won their trust and convenience as we have met every commitment that we have made to them – as we would honor the covenants of gospel – with fullness and completeness. This building relationship with DOH - should help as we attempt to re-instate the Neo-natal Resuscitation Training throughout the Philippines which was stopped a few years ago - because of a whole host of challenges between LDS Charities and DOH in the past, but mainly the root problems was a lack or poor communications as to each’s intentions. We have been invited to attend the provincial version of this same infant polio kick-off in a few weeks in Iloilo (an island south of Luzon / the one Manila is housed on) and we plan on attended that event as well at this point.
In celebration of closing out a very successful month of support (from LDS Charities & Public Affairs) of the National Mass Immunization Measles/Polio Campaign with the National DOH during all of the month of September – throughout all of the Philippines with hundreds of volunteer hours having been provided and given by members of the Church – as Mormon Helping Hands projects – so following the event listed above- we had a very nice, sit down, business lunch. Nearly 10 million children (or about 70% of the goal of 12 million children) all over the country were immunized already in September through the four week - against these preventable diseases. Local management at all levels of the Church in terms of our support has made all the difference in making this campaign better and assisted us in building an improved relationship towards success. Think global but act local!!! Only when people know you really care, does success seem to come…no one really cares if you don’t first. 
Love you all, we appreciate your continued support, and may the Lord bless each of you.