By JOY R. SEVILLA
GENERAL SANTOS CITY (December 2, 2013) - Hundreds of people from the seven municipalities of Sarangani Province have availed of free hearing aids during the Starkey Hearing Foundation Mission: Fitting of Free Hearing Aids at the Lagao Gymnasium.
The 551 screened beneficiaries from Sarangani were also taught on how to take care and properly use the hearing aids which cost P15,000 to P20,000 each.
The mission composed of 50 doctors and nurses from the United States was led by Bill Austin, founder of Starkey Hearing Foundation and owner of Starkey Labs.
The mission’s objective is to bring understanding among people through hearing care by focusing on awareness, education, protection, and treatment, so that the world may hear.
It was the first time for Starkey Hearing Foundation to sponsor a mission in this part of the country. The mission is in response to the request of Sarangani Congressman Manny Pacquiao.
the provincial government of Sarangani through Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon has complemented the mission by sending volunteers and sponsoring a fellowship dinner for the mission team.
Around 1,500 beneficiaries, including walk-in patients from Sarangani, South Cotabato, General Santos City, and nearby areas like Davao City, came to avail of the free hearing aids.
The mission is conducted in partnership with the Congressional Office of Sarangani Province, the local government units of Sarangani Province, General Santos City, and South Cotabato, and with the General Santos City Doctors Hospital.
Raphael Nuña, 63, and resident of Malapatan, Sarangani said in an interview that he is very grateful to have availed of free hearing aids.
“Mga walo na ko ka tuig medyo dili kadungog. Pasalamat ko nga naay hearing mission kay dili na ko mogasto kay libre na man,” Nuña said.
Noe Labrador, 43, and resident of Kiamba, Sarangani, on the other hand, suffered from hearing problems since he was young. He only uses sign language to communicate with other people.
Labrador also expressed his thanks to Starkey Foundation Mission and to its partners for bringing aid to people like him. Availing of free hearing aids is an advance Christmas gift for him, he said. (Joy R. Sevilla/SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE)
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