ANTIGUA, Guatemala – Isabella already had a family of her own when she took in her eight younger siblings after her mother died.
With several children under the age of 13 in their care, Isabella and her husband worked hard to provide for their new family—but between his meager income and the small amount of money she made making tortillas and selling handmade dolls at the market, it just wasn’t enough.
TENNESSEE – Little Faith was just a baby when her father lost his job—but now, three years later, a rough economy and competitive job field has put her family face to face with hunger.
TRAPANG VENG, Cambodia – Every day, children living in the village of Trapang Veng put themselves at risk of sickness and disease.
The only water in their poor farming community is collected from nearby ponds and open wells and is often contaminated. Just one drink could lead to a life-threatening illness.
“Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we’ll go” brings back warm memories of childhood Thanksgivings; turkey with all the fixings, pumpkin pie and whipped cream and family, all gathered around a table. For me, Thanksgiving Day meant giving thanks for all that God had given me, but since joining Operation Blessing, every single day is filled with feelings of thanksgiving… for all that OBI is able to give away.
UNITED STATES – As families all over America prepare for Thanksgiving, pulling out old recipes and purchasing turkeys, cranberries and more for the big day, some are searching empty cupboards for anything that can fill their empty stomachs.
Unemployment, medical bills or even a slump in the economy can put families in a position where they must choose between buying groceries and keeping the lights on. For these families struggling to make ends meet, a box of groceries can make all the difference.
QALAKHENG, Lesotho – Imagine living in a tiny, one-room flat with 13 other people. For nine-year-old Ntabeleng*, this is home.
Orphaned at a young age, Ntabeleng lives with her grandmother, Ma Nkapane, and 12 cousins in the small village of Qalakheng.
IQUITOS, Peru – In a home desperately needing repair, six-year-old Linda would cry all night, unable to hold back the tears because her stomach ached so badly from hunger.
INDIA – Born with two clubfeet in a small Indian village, eight-month-old Poornima needed a miracle for her to be able to walk and keep up with the other children as she got older.
Her parents were determined to give her that miracle through corrective treatment, despite their low income and claims from friends and family that clubfoot could not be cured. But Poornima’s parents were hopeful and sacrificed much just to get their little girl to the hospital in Mumbai—each trip costing a full day’s wages.
Then, with Operation Blessing’s help, Poornima received the necessary treatment she so desperately needed free of charge to her family. Now wearing braces in the final phase of her treatment, Poornima’s family can see visible results and are excited to see their little girl learning to walk.
GEORGIA – As the cost of food and utilities rose over the past few years, Chrissy did everything she could to make her husband’s paycheck stretch to meet their family’s needs. But before long, Jeff’s mechanic’s salary just wasn’t enough to pay the bills and put food on the table for their four children.
PAGNAMITAN, Philippines – When Typhoon Haiyan decimated her village a year ago, everything Clara had worked for was gone—her home, her business and even her daughter’s wheelchair.
