Red Cross' free "tuli" benefits 200 boys

CEBU, Philippines – Two hundred boys from the city of Mandaue; barangays Guadalupe, Capitol Site, and Sambag I in Cebu City; and the town of Minglanilla benefited from the free “Operation Tuli” initiated by the Community Red Cross Youth over the weekend.

Alvin Adolfo, chapter service representative of the Red Cross Youth, said that the Operation Tuli is part of their community outreach programs for the summer.

He pointed out that the practice has already been embedded in our culture as part of a boy’s passage to manhood. Also, circumcision finds both biblical and scientific basis as it serves for hygienic purposes and the prevention of urinary tract infection.

Operation Tuli happens mostly during summer while the boys are on vacation from school.

Basically, Red Cross’ free Operation Tuli focused on children ages seven to 12 years old of parents in the low-income bracket.

Red Cross Youth started this event in 1996 but took a halt in 1998 because of lesser manpower support. But this year, the project is revived having won the support of the private sector.

Also, CRCY received sponsorship from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office which provided materials for the operation. 

Further, doctors from the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and the Cebu Institute of Medicine pledged support to the need for manpower along with the volunteers.

“My motivation is to be of service to these young kids,” Hedda dela Cerna, a registered nurse and a volunteer, said.

Kids registered first at the Red Cross Center upon their arrival, wherein the organizer facilitated a movie marathon to help the children relax while waiting for their turns. 

After the operation, free snacks were provided to the beneficiaries. — Mark Z. Gantuangco (THE FREEMAN)