Maria and Eleodoro stand in front of their new chicken coup.

EL SALVADOR – At the age when most people are retiring, it seems that Maria’s work load has been getting harder instead of easier.

After raising three daughters who are now grown and have families of their own, the 68-year-old is back at work—this time to support and care for her husband.

Eleodoro had a series of strokes a few years ago. Since then, he has been dependent on Maria for his care, so she began using her sewing skills to generate a small income as well as raise chickens to provide food for their family.

But all the hard work proved to be too much for Maria’s heart.

She began to suffer from severe headaches and dizziness. Sewing became difficult, and, without a coup, her chickens were vulnerable to dogs and thieves.

Operation Blessing teams also planted this vegetable garden for Maria and Eleodoro.

Maria visited a doctor at a health clinic where she learned that she suffered from hypertension and high cholesterol. Unable to afford medication, she tried to treat her condition by controlling her diet to steady her blood pressure, but the headaches remained.

When Operation Blessing learned of Maria and Eleodoro’s situation, they arrived at their home with not one, but three solutions to bring help and hope for this couple.

Teams provided Maria with the medicine she needed to control her hypertension and high cholesterol. They brought household items such as blankets, shoes, hygiene items, and food.

And they built a coup to protect Maria’s chickens and even started a vegetable garden for them.

“You have no idea how happy I am that you have come to my house to help me,” Maria said. “Now my chickens are safe and God will prosper this garden for us.”

“My headaches have stopped, the dizziness and pain have gone almost completely,” Maria continued with tears in her eyes. “We are filled with happiness, gratitude and hope. Operation Blessing is a blessing from God.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP
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