It was an unforgettable day in Irene Erwin’s life—the day when Super Typhoon Mawar made its destructive presence known.
As the storm’s approach became imminent, Irene couldn’t help but feel a sense of fear and uncertainty gripping her heart.
“When I heard that there was a big typhoon, like a super typhoon, I was really scared. I didn’t know where I was going or what would happen to me,” she said.
At that time, Irene’s daughter came to her rescue. They sought refuge at her daughter’s house, far away from the impending chaos.
The next morning, when the skies had cleared, Irene returned to her home, anxious and apprehensive. The scene that greeted her was heartbreaking. Her house was now a disaster zone. The storm had left its mark—shattered windows, broken doors, and a pervasive sense of hopelessness.
“I felt really sad because everything in the house was messy.”
Irene was overwhelmed and unsure of how to begin the daunting task of rebuilding her life. The damage was extensive, and the financial burden loomed large. But she knew she couldn’t give up. In her heart, she held onto a glimmer of hope, praying for a miracle.
And that miracle arrived with the help of Operation Blessing and its partners. Irene approached them with a simple request: “I asked them if they could help me with at least two windows for my house because I can handle the rest easily. Then one day they came and said my request was approved.”
The Operation Blessing team not only delivered the windows she had requested but went above and beyond, completing the repair and installation of all the broken windows in her house.
Irene couldn’t help but be moved by the team’s kindness and compassion. With tears in her eyes, she thanked God for sending Operation Blessing her way and for the people who had shown her genuine care in her time of need. “I am really happy. Thank you so much for all your help.”
In the aftermath of Typhoon Mawar, Irene learned that Operation Blessing didn’t just do “something”; they were a beacon of hope, a source of strength, and a reminder that, in the face of trials, communities can come together to support and uplift one another, one window, one act of kindness at a time.
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Thank you for your continued support in making stories like Irene’s possible. With your donations, we can make a significant difference in providing emergency relief, rebuilding homes, and restoring hope to disaster-affected individuals and communities. Give today at www.operationblessing.ph/give. Call 09399215543 or 09189067753 for more information and to discuss how we can work together to bring about meaningful change.
DSWD-SB-SP-00017-2023-Nationwide. Valid until March 31, 2024.