TANAY, Rizal – After a calamity like Ondoy, many people are at a loss on how to begin rebuilding their homes and lives. How can we help people who have gone through so much?

Sometimes, it’s best to start with the little things like slippers, smiles and prayers.

The Sound of Children’s Footsteps
Eilene is a quiet, barefooted 10-year-old. Her father is the only one left to take care of her and her six siblings. Together, they took shelter in a relative’s house when floodwaters rose in Tanay.

The homes of Raisa, 9, and her cousin Joshua, 8, were also flooded. They had to borrow slippers from their neighbors.

“Our families are okay, but a lot of people died in Balikbayan,” Raisa shared sadly. Balikbayan is one of Tanay’s hardest-hit barangays. It’s heartbreaking to know that many of these children have witnessed death and destruction at their young age.

Eilene, Raisa and Joshua received new slippers from Operation Blessing, as well as some encouragement. Afterwards, the children ran through the plaza with smiles on their faces.

Rosie’s Story
Rosie, 44, was at home with her husband and five children when the floods rose last September 26. They live in the upper part of Balikbayan in Tanay.

“We really didn’t expect the waters to rise so much, so fast. We fled to another house, but the waters caught up with us,” Rosie narrated.

“We looked for higher ground and stayed there until the waters receded. We tried to go back for our belongings, but we weren’t able to save anything.”

Rosie was grateful for the bag of relief goods she received from Operation Blessing, as their family had nothing to eat. She also got a free medical checkup from OB volunteer doctors, vitamins for her family, and medicines for her child suffering from a bad cough. She also received counseling and prayers from an OB volunteer pastor that day.

Blessing Tanay
With your help, Operation Blessing was able to distribute 1,000 bags of relief goods and 1,040 pairs of slippers in Tanay in the aftermath of typhoon Ondoy. A total of 160 residents benefited from the medical mission, which gave out free checkups, tetanus toxoid shots, and necessary medicines.
But more than physical relief, Operation Blessing gave hope to hundreds of Tanay residents. Every little bit helps, and your prayers and support allow OB to continue their ministry of service and compassion.