Philippine Army Awards Operation Blessing as NGO of the Year

The Philippine Army recently awarded Operation Blessing (OB) as Non-Government Organization (NGO) of the Year for 2007, for its efforts in promoting peace and nation-building in impoverished provinces in the country.

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Home More Stories Turning the Wheels of Hope
Turning the Wheels of Hope
Friday, 12 February 2010 12:19


NABUNTURAN, Compostela Valley — The newly assembled wheelchairs were lined up neatly across the hall of the provincial capitol, waiting for its rightful owners. For some, the chairs might seem ordinary and plain. But for those who have been waiting and dreaming for so long, they are treasures of great worth and value.

Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines gave out the free wheelchairs last January 28 as gifts to more than a hundred persons with disabilities in Compostela Valley province.

The distribution program was done in partnership with Free Wheelchair Mission, Adventist Development and Relief Agency, Sacred Harvest Foundation, the Philippine Army, and the provincial government.

Each beneficiary has a story to share and their own reason to be grateful for the wheels that brought them new hope.

A Second Chance
Hector, 30, used to work as a lineman in a power company until an accident left him handicapped and scarred—for life. More than 31,000 volts of electricity flowed through Hector’s body from head to toe, leaving burn marks on his head and face down to his arms and legs. His damaged ear caused him to lose his sense of balance.

Hector, 30, receives his free wheelchair from Operation Blessing“I’m still alive and I know I have to be thankful for that. But at times, I can’t help but feel sorry for myself. I get ridiculed because of my appearance,” he sadly said.

For Hector, the embarrassment caused by his accident was unbearable. He isolated himself from the outside world. He would not come out of his room.

“I know my mother was having a hard time taking care of me. I feel like a burden to her each time she had to carry me or help me take a bath,” he added.

When Hector and his mother heard of Operation Blessing’s free wheelchair distribution, they were delighted. Their prayers were answered when he was chosen as one of the 103 beneficiaries.

“I realized I should not lock myself up. There is more to life than just staying in one corner of my bedroom,” Hector happily said. “This wheelchair is such a great help for me. Now my mother won’t have a hard time carrying me, and I could go out anytime without much hassle.”

As he sat on his new wheelchair, Hector is ready to begin his life again.

A Mother’s Love
For Mary Anne, her aching body after a hard day’s work is nothing compared to the agony of seeing her 12-year-old son Christian living a life far from that of a normal kid.

Christian, with his mom Mary Anne, receives his free wheelchair from Operation Blessing“My heart breaks each time I think of all the things that my son is deprived of because of his cerebral palsy,” Mary Anne lamented. “He could not talk and walk. He never experienced how to run and play outside or even go to school like a normal boy would do.”

For years, Mary Anne has been faithfully and dutifully taking care of Christian’s needs. A high school teacher, she tries her best to provide for Christian since her husband’s earnings from driving are just enough to get their family through the day.

“I love my son and I’m working hard to grant all his needs. But as much as I want to, I could not afford to buy him a wheelchair. It’s beyond our means,” she said. That’s why she was in tears as Christian received a gift of mobility from Operation Blessing: his first-ever wheelchair.

“These tears are tears of joy. I never thought there are still people like you who are generous enough to help people in need like us,” said Mary Anne. “Thank you, Operation Blessing!”

Though unable to speak, Christian’s eyes were filled with happiness. Seated on his brand new wheelchair, he seemed comfortable and at ease. As for Mary Anne, words aren’t enough to express her gratitude to God and to the people who gave her son his dream chair.

Operation Blessing gives free wheelchairs in Compostela Valley

Because We Care
Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines is the humanitarian arm of the Christian Broadcasting Network Asia, producer of the daily inspirational show The 700 Club Asia.

Because of fervent support from its partners, Operation Blessing is able to uplift the poorest of the poor through free wheelchair distributions, medical missions, disaster relief, microenterprise activities, skills training, community transformation, water and sanitation programs, and children’s outreaches.

Operation Blessing’s Davao office is located at 370 3rd Street corner 5th Street, Ecoland Phase I, Matina, Davao City, with telephone number (082) 297-3080.