The Zonta Club of Ilocos Norte, Philippines, rang in the new year with a series of club activities to empower their local community.
Handing out groceries
The club joined Romantic Baboy Ilocos Norte to provide groceries to 200 financially-struggling individuals from different barangays of Laoag City. The event took place at venues in Salet and Lataang. The recipients also received drinks and snacks as they made their way home.
Providing free medical, legal and counseling services
On 8 January, the club kicked off its first free medical Saturday of 2022 at the club's building in Laoag City. The monthly program offers free legal, medical and counseling services to women and children.
The program aims to make healthcare, procedures, vitamins and legal aid accessible to those who truly need them. The club has found the program to be a continuously rewarding success.
At the most recent event, the patients were mostly children exhibiting coughs and fever symptoms. The doctors on-site evaluated them and prescribed medicines and vitamins that they took home for free.
Distributing face masks
The club distributed 400 face masks, three tarpaulins and Sintra boards featuring COVID-19 safety measure protocols to the Laoag City General Hospital.