Every day our relief teams continue to deliver life sustaining care packages to tsunami
survivors along the Aceh coast of Indonesia. Many villages are still cut off from normal
supply routes because roads were washed away by the Tsunami. Fear of the sea is strong
everywhere our teams go. That is why 11-year-old Iksan caught their attention.
Iksan was playing in the surf. They had not seen carefree children on the beaches since
before the tsunami’s waves destroyed Indonesia’s Aceh region. Curious why
he wasn’t afraid, they went to talk with him. Soon, Iksan began sharing.
Even though Iksan’s house and all of his possessions had been swept away, he
was so thankful. Everyone in his family had survived. He knew many of his friends were
not so fortunate. Looking out at the Ocean he commented, “This sea is my playground.
The wave is the friend who teaches me how to swim. This sea is the place where my father
earns money to pay for my [school] tuition fee and buys everything we need. People say
the wave of this sea is destructive for Aceh, but I don’t feel that way.
“What saddens me is that I and many of my friends no longer have homes. Sleeping
under the tent is uncomfortable, very cold and mosquitoes bite us. I want to have a
house. I also long to go to school; the school building was destroyed.” He wants
life to return to normal.
Our relief team immediately visited Iksan’s family and delivered a much needed
care package full of items like canned sardines, rice, sugar, cooking oil, biscuits,
coffee, water and soap. Our medical team treated the family’s medical needs too.
With on-going mosquito control operations continuing, and a new building program starting
soon Operation Blessing is helping families regain a sense of normalcy in their lives.
Since the tsunami waves destroyed Indonesia’s coast, we have treated 50,858 people
with medical care, given minor surgery to 1,300 patients, and distributed 82,002 relief
packages to families and individuals.
As our team said goodbye, Iksan commented, “I would like to become a good soldier
to be able to help others exactly like what is done by you. Thank you Operation Blessing.”
Be a part of our recovery team!
You can help fishermen once again earn a living for their families, or help to make
children like Iksan’s wish for a house come true. Give a gift of $40 or more towards
our tsunami recovery efforts in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
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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