Sometimes, a warm meal can change a life.
The 7-year-old Bernardo Ongcoy can attest to that.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the little boy and his father would pick talbos ng kamote (sweet potato tops) from their backyard so they would have something to eat for the day.
Life was already hard for Bernardo’s family.
His father Romanito makes charcoal for a living, and no matter how much charcoal he makes, his income is not enough to cover their basic needs, let alone buy nutritious meals for his kids.
“Sometimes we don’t even eat. Rainy days are the worst because we wouldn’t know where to get food. My wife and I are doing our best to provide for our son, but life is really hard for us,” Romanito said.
Bernardo’s family belongs to the Dumagat tribe residing on the mountains of Puray in Rodriguez, Rizal. Their community’s location is far from better-paying job opportunities and other essential services.
Because they could not afford healthier or even enough food, Bernardo and his brother Miguel became undernourished.
“If my papa stops making charcoal, we would have nothing to eat. I get sickly whenever I am hungry,” Bernardo narrated.
His mother Vilma hopes that one day, God will hear all her prayers and bless her beloved children.
“I am sad about our condition. I would just pray, ‘God, please provide food for my children so that they won’t experience hunger anymore,’” Vilma lamented.
They were already struggling to survive each passing day, and as soon as the pandemic razed the country, it became even harder to know where their next meal is coming from.
Thanks to you, Bernardo and his brother can enjoy warm, nutritious meals even during the pandemic!
Through your partnership with Operation Blessing Foundation Philippines, CBN Asia’s humanitarian arm, Bernardo and his fellow Dumagat kids receive support through the ministry’s Bless-a-Child program.
Through Bless-a-Child, undernourished children like Bernardo enjoy healthy lunches every day, free medical checkups and medicines on a regular basis, as well as free primary education and values formation support.
Their parents are also taught how to prepare nutritious yet budget-friendly meals for their children.
“We are so grateful for Operation Blessing’s feeding program! My children are always full, their weight improved, and they are now more active,” his mother Vilma shared.
Bernardo is now feeling happy, and full. Happy to know that there are people out there who care for them, and are full because of the nutritious meals he enjoys every day!
“We used to experience hunger, now we don’t. Thank you so much for your help, Operation Blessing!” he said with a smile.
Sometimes, a warm meal can change a life.
And through your continuous support, we can scale up our assistance of warm, healthy meals to undernourished children. Together, we can change their lives and give them hope that healthier days are ahead of them.
Do you want to continue your support to Filipino children in need?
Are you wondering how you can help them even in your own little ways?
Reach out to our young kababayans by partnering with Operation Blessing! You may give online, via GCash (Operation Blessing), or through these bank accounts with account name: Operation Blessing Foundation Phils., Inc.:
Banco De Oro (BDO)
Peso Account: 003-000-055-279
Dollar Account: 103-000-11-3333
Swift Code: BNORPHMM
Union Bank of the Philippines
Peso Account: 00-216-072163-9
Dollar Account: 13-216-000170-0
Swift Code: UBPHPHMM
Metrobank
Peso Account: 270-3-27050273-4
Dollar Account: 270-2-27000282-4
Swift Code: MBTCPHMM
Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI)
Peso Account: 3001-0040-33
For sponsorships, you may send a message to Operation Blessing’s Facebook page or contact 0939-921-5543 and 0918-906-7753.
You may also support CBN Asia’s entire Family of Ministries by clicking this link.