“I only had 2 sheets of paper and a pen for school…”
These were the words of 14-year-old Gilbert, a Grade 7 student from Nabuclod, Floridablanca, Pampanga, as he shared his struggles with Operation Blessing’s team.
Gilbert, like many other Aeta children, faced bullying at school because he didn’t have the school supplies his classmates had. His parents, who earned a meager living by making charcoal, simply couldn’t afford to buy the necessary items for his education.
“It’s painful. They tease me and say, ‘Here’s the one without a bag because his mother is poor.’” In addition to the shame of being teased, Gilbert also had to go without food sometimes, asking his classmates for anything to eat.
These difficult realities are faced by many children in Nabuclod, a resettlement area for the Aeta tribe, who were relocated there after the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. Operation Blessing, through its Holiday of Hope and Cheer Project, was determined to help.
The mission is simple: to bring joy to children in need and introduce them to Jesus, the true source of hope and joy. The team arrived with backpacks filled with school supplies, and the children’s faces lit up with gratitude. The event was about more than just distributing material goods; it was about sharing hope, love, and faith.
Gilbert was one of 100 children who received a backpack filled with school supplies and treats. His eyes sparkled with joy as he said, “I am thankful because before, I didn’t have a bag. Now I have one, along with other school supplies. Thank you!”
The event was filled with games, films, singing, and, most importantly, prayer. The team believes the seeds of transformation were planted that day, not just in the children’s hearts, but in the hearts of their families as well.
As the team prayed for the children, they were reminded that meeting physical needs is important, but offering spiritual support is just as crucial. With God’s love and grace, lives can be changed.