Touching Lives in Crisis in the Philippines

Cataracts had gradually stolen most of Jose’s eyesight. The poor Filipino farmer couldn’t afford to pay for the simple operation. Not only was he going blind, but the family’s main source of income was fading. Last year it became impossible for Jose to work his fields anymore. He wished that he could have seen well in just one eye!

Through wonderful circumstances Jose’s wish came true last year! He heard OB Philippines was sponsoring free cataract operations during a certain time. He had a successful examination and was accepted as a surgical patient. On the day of the surgery, Jose’s cataracts were removed in less than an hour. Over the next few days, his vision was restored. “To the doctors who treated my husband, thank you very, very much.” expressed Jose’s wife Sabel.

As part of its’ humanitarian programs, OB Philippines is helping some of the millions of Filipino suffering from cataract see again. Cataracts are a clouding of the crystalline lens in the eye. An untrained person wouldn’t see this condition at its’ beginning stages, but as time passed a cataract often looks like a solid white contact lens.

Stirring Hope in the Midst of Calamity
In addition to addressing the medical needs in the Philippines, we also respond to disasters like August 2004’s Typhoon Marce. Its whipping winds and heavy rain showers swept over the metropolis causing widespread floods, landslides and accidents. As floodwaters continued to fill up low lying areas, people fled their homes in fear of being stranded, while many others climbed up to the safety of their roofs.

As Marce was leaving the country, we received a text message from Pastor Ato of Pangasinan. The message read that Barangay San Gabriel in Bayambang had been badly affected by the typhoon.

OB Philippines first visited Barangay San Gabriel in June 2004. People in this community live an impoverished existence. Children walk miles on dirt roads to get to school. There isn’t any medical care available in the area. Seeing their need, we held a one-day medical mission, installed two deep wells to help stop rampant waterborne diseases, and began a livelihood program. Since then, the residents of San Gabriel have been like a family.

When we heard they needed help, an OB team of five left early in the morning three days later and tracked six hours to bring relief.

At the height of Typhoon Marce’s rage, San Gabriel and the surrounding areas were submerged in floodwaters estimated to be seven to eight feet deep. Although houses in the village are constructed and supported by seven-foot-high posts, this did not spare them from the floodwaters.

In previous years, residents would lose access to clean drinking water each time the floods came. Thankfully, OB Philippines had already dug a new deep well with a water pump that was mounted on a pedestal high enough even during floods. We were happy to find out that boats from all over were seen lining up to get water at the height of the flood.

When the typhoon relief team arrived in September, tears of joy flowed down their faces. Fifty families found items including rice, canned goods, children’s vitamins, toothpaste, and candies in their bags.

Continue to make a difference in people’s lives
San Gabriel had not been forgotten in their time of crisis. Jose’s sight was restored. These are two of the thousands of ways you have helped us break the cycle of suffering in the Philippines.

Please partner with Operation Blessing today!