Former Student Rallies Support for Ailing Teacher through Crowdfunding
New York, NY – March 28,2014 –To every Cagayanon (native of Cagayan de Oro, Philipines) who went to Lourdes College Grade School, Chuchi Valmores Uyguangco may be recalled as a firm but loving teacher who has touched their lives with her passionate approach to educating children. In fact, for the past 30 years, she has devoted her life to teaching in the private Catholic school even as she raised four children with her husband, Mr. Graciano Uyguangco. But an unexpected turn of events changed all that, and now, Teacher Chuchi, as she is more fondly called by her students, finds herself on the receiving end of their care.
On July 18, 2013, Teacher Chuchi, aged 59, was found unconscious and had cardiac arrest. Although she survived the initial attack, she has slipped into a coma-like state and remains unconscious as of this writing. She was also diagnosed to be suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia. Discharged from the hospital at the end of September 2013, Teacher Chuchi now relies on home care with very little chance of recovery from brain damage according to doctors.
“It was really emotionally devastating to us,” said Melliza Mae, Teacher Chuchi’s daughter. “Suddenly, our life shifted to a new ‘normal’ with every one of us having to make sacrifices in our own lives to take care of mom.”
Needless to say, the hospital and outpatient care Teacher Chuchi has been receiving is also taking a toll financially for the Uyguangco family. Her hospital bill reached almost a million pesos (over US$ 23,000). Much of the amount remains to be settled and with additional expenses for her daily care and medication accumulating, the family is desperately looking for ways to keep up with the hardship.
With this in mind, one former student, Rona Joanne Lipke, decided to launch a fundraiser through online crowdfunding site www.indiegogo.com to organize the campaign and to keep track of Teacher Chuchi’s state. Aside from being her student, Rona is also a personal friend of the Uyguangcos and a former classmate of Melliza Mae.
“Teacher Chuchi has been very kind to us,” Rona said. “And it is the least we can do to return the favor to her family. I thought of crowdfunding as the easiest way to reach out to her former students and those who know her.”
Rona and Melliza hope to raise $10,000 to help pay the hospital bill, home nurse and other expenses related to the care of Teacher Chuchi before the campaign expires on March 31, 2014. Other friends have also chipped in their support by spreading the word through social media and by offering their prayers for Teacher Chuchi’s recovery.
Those who wish to help this fundraiser are encouraged to visit this link, www.indiegogo.com, or get in touch with Rona, Melliza or Oslec Arsua for more inquiries.
