April 18, 2024
A second life: Nene serves her community during Tzu Chi Philippines’ 262nd Medical Mission
By Dorothy Castro
Standing with dedication and a great love for helping people, 37-year-old Maria Fe “Nene” Socias started her three-day mission as a local volunteer welcoming people into Tzu Chi Foundation Philippines’ 262nd mission from April 4 to 6.
“Maria Fe Socias, a PWD (person with disability) who is missing her right eye, both hands and legs (from the knees down), has more courage, optimism, strength, and willingness than many people without these challenges,” said Tzu Chi volunteer Johnny Kwok.
Nene, a mother of three and a local volunteer, is the epitome of a kind heart; she lives with gratitude despite facing many adversities in life. This is why she perseveres and attends to every patient that enters the Sultan Kudarat Provincial Gymnasium, working as a Job Order at Sultan Kudarat Provincial Government Office. Even with the challenge of hand mobility, she distributes masks to patients and even assists them in wheelchairs, bringing them to the patients’ waiting area at the gymnasium.
Johnny Kwok, volunteering at the receiving area for the patients during the medical mission, struck up a conversation with Nene. “Her first words during our conversation were that of joy and gratitude, that she was able to have an opportunity to contribute as a volunteer during Tzu Chi’s medical mission,” he said.
She does not let the challenges of her disabilities limit her life’s mission. While talking about her experiences, Nene also showed her prostheses with pride and happiness, saying that now she can move with more freedom. She feels that she is no different from any ordinary person around her.
Sharing her life story, Nene talked about how she had gotten into a car accident wherein she was the sole survivor. While it was a difficult story to tell, she saw it as a second chance at life given to her by the Lord.
“With a grateful heart, Nene shared that the prostheses were sponsored by the provincial governor. She expresses her happiness for receiving help through volunteer work, such as receiving guests,” said Johnny.
“I am happy that I was given wonderful work here as a regular casual at the Provincial Health Office. I have been working here for almost seven years at the Sultan Kudarat capitol,” said Nene.
Nene’s responsibility is to receive guests. “As a PWD and president of the PWD group, I assist PWDs who come here to get a check-up. Just as we have this program from Tzu Chi now, I not only help PWD but also everyone, whether they are senior citizens, children, or adults,” she explained.
Johnny also noticed that while pushing a wheelchair seems like an easy task for other people, it surely takes double the amount of strength for Nene to do. Yet, she works with a smile. When asked about her motivation, Nene replied, “What gives me strength is being able to help others.”
With genuine curiosity about life as a Tzu Chi volunteer, “Nene also became a temporary Tzu Chi volunteer, as she offered to accompany Tzu Chi volunteers from Davao who were conducting home visits to patients,” he said.
When Johnny asked her if she had a wish for herself, she only hoped for a prosthetic eye to make her look and feel more ordinary. Learning about Nene’s story, Johnny hoped to be able to do something for Nene. He directed his queries to medical volunteers and introduced them to Nene.
“After seeing an ophthalmologist, it was found that an artificial eye was feasible, and it would also help for her to use eye drops for her left eye as maintenance. As there were no prescription eye drops available in the area, Cebu volunteers bought them from a local pharmacy and personally delivered them to Nene. Davao volunteers also investigated how to best help her,” Johnny said.
What moved Nene to tears was not her life’s challenges, but the kindness that surrounded her that day. Witnessing the care of each Tzu Chi volunteer towards helping patients touched her heart. “I do not find my work difficult because Tzu Chi Foundation is here to help. They are very accommodating when catering to people’s needs, and they have an organized way of managing things. I hope we can experience this again,” she said.
Maria Fe “Nene” Socias (in white) dutifully assists a senior citizen settle into a wheelchair while waiting for her turn at the medical mission. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Nene assists a senior citizen at the waiting area of the medical mission. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Nene offers a wheelchair to make sure that anyone with difficulty walking moves more comfortably. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Nene shares a bright smile to everyone as she fulfills her duties. 【Photo by Matt Serrano】
Wholeheartedly grateful, Nene shows her prostheses that help her with her duties at the Provincial Health Office. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Nene (in white) shares her stories with Tzu Chi volunteers. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
Nene enjoys a conversation with a Tzu Chi volunteer. 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】
The lone survivor of a car accident, Nene lost her right eye and both hands and legs (from the knees down). 【Photo by Marella Saldonido】