Ercy Santos, a 14-year-old scholar of Talaturu Ipus ning Mayap a Pastol (TIMP) wants to become a flight attendant and dreams to go to different places.
“Nag-aaral akong mabuti at ayaw kong mag-absent sa eskwela dahil gusto kong makatapos ng pag-aaral. (I study hard and don’t want to miss school because I want to finish my studies.)”
However, according to a study by the Department of Education and the University of the Philippines, head lice infestation is the second biggest health problem among students 7 to 12 years old, after tooth decay. It was recorded in 2000 that about nine million Filipino school students were found infested with the parasite.
The problem causes many children to miss school, hence personal hygiene and home care products manufacturer Lamoiyan Corporation, for the past 30 years, has been promoting personal hygiene and oral hygiene to the general population.
The company recently went to Santos’ community in Floridablanca, Pampanga to donate P280,000 worth of Lamoiyan products as part of its outreach event dubbed Making the Invisible Visible.
In partnership with North Sector 1 Singles Districts of Ligaya ng Panginoon (LNP), a Catholic community in Metro Manila, at least 700 Aeta families composed of a total of 3,500 individuals received basic items such as rice and milk, art and sports materials for children, and hygiene products such as Licealiz Head Lice Treatment Shampoo and Hapee Toothpaste.
With the lack of healthcare access in the area, Lamoiyan Corporation aims to help the community alleviate the cases of tooth-related problems and head lice infestation among kids and adults.
“Masaya kami na makita at makilala kayo. Maraming salamat sa mga regalo ninyo sa amin ngayong Pasko.” (We are delighted to see and meet all of you. Thank you very much for your gifts to us this Christmas),” enthused Santos.