By Bernadette Andrea Catalan
Photos by AC Brizuela
Hopeburst Foundation, Inc., an organization aimed at “developing community-based programs promoting wellness free of drugs,” focuses its attention on community level in a bid to alleviate cases of drug addiction. It uses the model of building a recovery hub, educating barangay leaders and promoting active engagement among all stakeholders.
“Transformation of family and community is what makes the difference,” emphasizes Hopeburst Foundation chairman Estaquio Abay.
To materialize the plan, the foundation intends to start a recovery hub in Barangay Amaya, Tanza, Cavite that can house 60 patients with a 1-to-1 patient to staff ratio.
Cavite Governor Jesus Crispin Remulla supports the program saying, “Drug problem in Cavite is alarming [as it becomes] a place for users and sellers. Many families (sic) have been affected by this menace.”
Active participation among family members and barangay leaders is also an important factor to make the model work.
Hopeburst aims to change the community’s perspective that drug use is not tolerable, as well as involve the families rather than focusing only on the individual. According to the foundation, the challenge in including the family in the program is what previous rehab centers lacked due to financial limitations.
In involving the family and community in the program, Hopeburst partnered with Gawad Kalinga to provide a more conducive environment for the patients to return to.
“We’re applying the fishbowl analogy, assuming the inflicted is the fish, we take him out, clean the fishbowl and bring him back. So when he goes back, it’s a better environment,” explains Edwin Roman, a proactive member of the society helping Fr. Vic Apacible in rehab recovery.
As the rehab center in Tanza, Cavite needs more finishing, HopeBurst Foundation initiated a fundraising on June 21 via a special screening of Heneral Luna, a film which Ed Rocha, Hopeburst Foundation board director, co-wrote and produced.
To effectively curb drug addiction in the Philippines, the non-profit organization considers building a recovery hub and involving the family and community in a holistic program.