Perseverance Yields Provision for Tsunami Victim
 Narmada
is fitted for glasses by an Operation Blessing doctor while her
mother looks on. |
Sri Lanka - Naramda faced the tragedy of December's tsunamis just
as she had life's other challenges - with perseverance. The Sri Lankan
woman's father died when she was young, and her brothers moved away from
their coastal village when they were old enough, leaving Narmada and her
mother behind. A birth defect had also made her wheelchair-bound, but Narmada
completed her education and even received certification as an English instructor.
However, five months ago Narmada and her mother lost everything in the catastrophic
tsunamis - loved ones, their home and possessions. Like thousands of others affected
by the disaster, a humanitarian refugee camp became their home.
Battling the tropical heat, food shortages and even the sadness of the refugee
camp, Narmada realized she still had a skill to use - her English abilities.
When she organized an English class in the camp, the children came. Her students'
parents even paid a fee for the trained instruction. The new-found income began
Narmada's financial recovery, along with helping her cope emotionally with the
difficulties of life in the refugee camp.
Another obstacle soon emerged, though, when Narmada began having headaches and
blurred vision which in time affected her teaching. Since she and her mother
were already struggling
"I heard about [Operation Blessing's] medical camp," Narmada said. "But there
was no way I could get there in my wheelchair."
So, Operation Blessing teams came to her. A traveling counseling team first met
with Narmada. After realizing her vision problem, they arranged for her to receive
treatment from an OBI doctor. It turned out that all that Narmada needed was
a pair of glasses, which Operation Blessing provided.
"I was excited and joyful when I was able to see again with the glasses," she
said. "I don't have enough words to express my gratitude."
How You Can Help
Like Narmada, thousands of tsunami victims across Southeast Asia are still
without basic food, shelter and medical care. Operation Blessing teams continue
to work throughout the affected region and need your ongoing support. With
99.7 percent of each donation going directly to relief work, you can be assured
that you contribution will help people who need it the most.
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