When the magnitude 7.2 earthquake jolted Bohol in the year 2013, Operation Blessing responded to provide relief assistance to thousands of families who have lost their homes, in need of medical care and spiritual encouragement.
A high school student named Caroluzzi Lagunay volunteered to help with the kid’s ministry and incorporate psychosocial activities. “As a first-time volunteer, I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I prayed that the Holy Spirit would fill me so I would be able to reach out to the children. Thankfully, I’m a big sister at heart, too!” Carrots (as she was commonly called by family and friends) happily shared.
Six years later, Operation Blessing came back and reached out to the people in the mountainous areas of Bohol and conducted free medical and dental check-ups, provided free eyeglasses and medicines to thousands of underserved families in Bohol including the Eskaya tribes. For the second time, Carrots volunteered again, but now, already as a health professional.
“On the first day, I was assigned as a translator to one of the volunteer doctors and also helped out in the fitting of reading glasses for the patients. Even if it was a long day, we were able to manage to serve a lot of people. I was surprised that the volunteer doctors have given me the responsibility of managing the optical clinic for the succeeding days. I was assigned to do Visual Acuity Test or assessing suitable glasses for “presbyopic patient” [or adults aged 40 years old and above with eye defect and has inability to focus sharply].
Being a volunteer impacted Carrots’ life. “In volunteering, you get hands-on experience. You will discover the things you are capable of and learn new things as well,” exclaimed Carrots.
Being in a mission not just opened her eyes to see a vision of what she will become in the future, but she has also saw the need to care for our needy kababayans.
“I’m really grateful to be a part of Operation Blessing. It reminds me that as a Christian, you don’t just speak God’s word, but you live it. With OB, they practice what they preach. Everyone can serve, but not everyone can serve with compassion, and that’s what Operation Blessing does – serving with compassion,” Carrots proudly says.
