Besides borrowing money in times of emergency, what else can a poor family do to access costly medical treatment that will save the life of a loved one?  Fr. Rolly Fernandez, MI dreamed of an alternative which he disclosed to the Community Health Volunteers (CHVs) of St. Camillus Healthcare Center in Cainta, Rizal.  The dream caught on.  The CHVs, with Fr. Rolly’s guidance, brainstormed and ended up with a plan that gave birth to Lingap Kalusugan (LK) – which means caring for health.

Essentially, LK is a project aimed at raising a Charity Fund. The CHVs and the Camillians involved in the area manage the project.  They intend to engage the participation of the more than 50 families in the Gawad Kalinga 1 community.  Member families may avail themselves of the charity fund when a family member gets unexpectedly hit by a life-threatening sickness or accident that requires hospitalization.  Depending on their need, they will receive financial assistance, which they do not have to pay back.  Through this system, members need not incur debts that could save life for one moment but could aggravate the entire family’s economic and health woes over the long haul.

LK’s steady source of funds is the daily contributions that member families, through a contract, formally pledge to give.  The minimum contribution is two pesos from a family of two to three members.  The amount increases by one peso in proportion to family size. 

LK uses other legitimate and morally accepted ways of raising funds.  Two of these are the Christmas caroling and the film-showings that charge one peso admission fee from children and two pesos from adults.

By Sept. 13, 40 families have enthusiastically joined LK.  Last Sept. 19, during a Eucharistic celebration, they were formally recognized as LK members and were given their certification of membership.  They also recited a prayer expressing their commitment to live out the goals of LK.

The LK prime movers are determined to sustain the project. LK is more than just responding to short term emergency situations; it is all about progressive social transformation.

A new mindset began when LK was born.  The member families know they lose ownership of the pesos they contribute to LK.  One’s personal money becomes the money of all in the name of charity.  Perhaps, the daily habit of parting with two, three or four hard-earned pesos for the good of all would eventually become second nature to them.  Who knows where that will lead them next?  Perhaps, in time, Fr. Rolly’s dream will do take shape as a community of Christians among whom no one will be in need.  With God’s grace and St. Camillus’ help, that is possible.