“I thought of not joining the course at first. What for? It’s difficult and I’m already old,” said Leonila Nuñez, 65. “But I’m happy and proud that I did. I realized that there are still many things I can learn and do, even if I’m already old, that are very useful in times of emergency. I can use it to help others, or myself, or my family, most especially my young grandchildren who are with me.”

Leonila was one of the Camillian Healthcare Volunteers (CHVs) in Cainta who joined the Basic Life Support–Community Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Training Course on May 30 and June 6, 2009 at the St. Camillus Healthcare Center in Cainta, Rizal. Instructors Wilky Lao, EMT-I and Wesley Lao, EMR, MFR from the Fire Emergency Paramedic Assistance Group (FEPAG) conducted the 16-hour training course.

The CHVs were joined by other non-CHVs but interested individuals in the area. All in all, the participants totaled 35.

Despite the course’s rigidity, Weng Agagad, 36, CHV-Cainta chairperson, was satisfied with the result. “We had strict but very good trainors. They never let us go until all of us got everything right,” she said. “As CHVs, we gained additional knowledge and skills that we can share with our community.”

Like Leonila, Joy Bagual, 19, CHV and a senior education student, was proud of the hard-earned certificate and ID she received after the training. “Because it’s another proof that I am capable of being of service to my community,” she said.