Sophia, pictured above, lost her youngest son in the cyclone. OBI supplied her village with a water purification system last month to aid in recovery efforts.

BARGUNA, Bangladesh –For Sophia, the cyclone that ripped through her village tore away her hope.

"I have never seen anything like this in my life," she said. "Water was sweeping away homes and bodies."

The storm, which hit Bangladesh in November, also claimed the life of her youngest son, who not only left his mother behind but also his wife and their two small children.

Sophia had already lost her other two sons years earlier. Now, all three of her children were dead.

"I just want to die," Sophia said. "I can't take this; it's not worth living."

Last month, Operation Blessing installed a water purification system in Sophia's village to supply residents with clean drinking water. Other NGOs were also on-hand distributing relief items.

As residents stood in line, however, no one seemed to notice the elderly woman sitting on the ground in the cold and calling out for help.

"I have been waiting here hoping that someone would help me," she said. "Each time I came to collect items, the younger ones beat me. I am too fragile to stand in line and no one seems to hear my cries."

OBI's Kumar Periasamy was on site checking the water system when he noticed Sophia.

"I asked her what I could do for her and all she asked for was a pot to cook rice and blankets," Periasiamy said. "I purchased some cooking pots and blankets and told her that friends around the world love her and this is a gift from them to her."

A total of four water purification systems were installed in the hardest hit areas providing clean water for more than 12,000 people.

Sophia was also given food, water and other supplies.

A total of four water purification systems were installed in the hardest hit areas providing clean water for more than 12,000 people.

Operation Blessing partnered with Water Mission International to purchase the systems, which were then shipped free-of-charge with the help of DHL, a global delivery service.

"The water purification systems will answer a desperate need, since the typhoon victims are suffering from lack of clean drinking water and water borne disease is rampant," said OBI president Bill Horan.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
You can help by making an online donation toward OBI's disaster relief efforts. With your support, we can continue to provide emergency relief and recovery. Please make an on-line donation today.

 

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