In 2007,  I had an opportunity to immerse myself among the Bla'an tribes of Sitio Mauno, Columbio, Sultan Kudarat during our Inter-Franciscan Dialogue Program. In the several days I lived with the Bla'ans, I discovered that many of them die of the most common preventable illnesses and many of them never get a chance to receive proper medical care. This led to the inspiration of forming a medical team specifically dedicated to providing medical care for the Indigenous people of the Philippines.

 

In December 2009, the Capuchin Medical Mission (cMm) was born and since then, cMm provided medical services particularly for the indigenous people, the marginalized and victims of calamities and socio-economic crises.

 

The apostolate, was first concentrated in the mountain ranges and the coastal areas of Jose Abad Santos, Davao Occidental, but it soon extended to other parts of the country such as Mindoro Occidental, Davao del Norte, Davao Oriental, Zamboanga City, Bohol, Samar and Leyte.

 

In the year 2013, the Capuchin Medical Mission came together with other Franciscan Orders and Congregations and other Lay Volunteers with the same Franciscan Spirit and they formed the Franciscan Health Care Crossing Borders. This gathering of people with the same spirit and apostolate enhanced the capability of the Capuchin Medical Mission and its fellow Organizations and Kindred Souls to provide better medical services to more people, regardless of belief or ideology, encompasing a far greater geographical area.

 

In this website, I am sharing with you my experiences as a Capuchin Religious and as a Healer living and walking with our indigenous and marginalized brothers and sisters of the Philippines. Likewise, there are stories of the people I have met and their experience too! Happy browsing!

 

Br. Joel E. de Jesus, OFMCap

a.k.a. Whistling in the Wind

Coordinator, Capuchin Medical Mission