Leovel Moreno, a 53-year-old fisherman from Brgy. Estrella, Naujan, Oriental Mindoro, had spent more than 35 years of his life at sea. He had weathered storms and battled against the unpredictable tides to provide for his family.
Although he had hopes of completing his studies, the sea had claimed his youth, luring him into its depths at a young age. Fishing became his only livelihood, the source of sustenance for his family, and the gateway to survival.
However, tragedy struck one fateful day when a massive oil spill contaminated the pristine waters that had nurtured Leovel’s livelihood for decades. The devastating spill brought their community to its knees, leaving the fishermen and their families in desperate need.
“With our main source of income affected, we were forced to rely on the local government’s food assistance to survive,” Leovel said.
His worries escalated when he realized that he could no longer afford to give his children their daily allowance. “Determined to continue their education, my children resorted to walking long distances to reach their school.”
The burden weighed heavily on Leovel’s shoulders as he saw his children face such hardships.
It was during this time of despair that Operation Blessing extended a helping hand. Joined by beauty queen, TV actress, and The 700 Club Asia host Joyce Burton-Titular, our Disaster Response Team provided food bags filled with essential items like rice, canned goods, and bread. Leovel was one of the beneficiaries, and he felt a glimmer of hope ignite within him.
“I am very grateful for the help that Operation Blessing provided. It’s a big help for my family during these difficult times,” Leovel shared, his voice filled with gratitude.
Despite the trials they faced, Leovel held onto the hope that better days would come. He yearned for a life where he could give his children the opportunities he never had.
As Leovel stood on the shores of Naujan, his gaze fixed on the horizon, he saw the glimmer of hope shimmering on the water’s surface. He knew that with determination and support, he could overcome any obstacle.
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To help more kababayans recover from the aftermath of natural disasters, give at www.operationblessing.ph/give. For partnership inquiries, contact 09399215543 or 09189067753.
DSWD-SB-SP-00017-2023-Nationwide. Valid until March 31, 2024.