Narmada is fitted for glasses by an Operation Blessing doctor while her mother looks on.

Sri Lanka - Naramda faced the tragedy of December's tsunamis just as she had life's other challenges - with perseverance. The Sri Lankan woman's father died when she was young, and her brothers moved away from their coastal village when they were old enough, leaving Narmada and her mother behind. A birth defect had also made her wheelchair-bound, but Narmada completed her education and even received certification as an English instructor.

However, five months ago Narmada and her mother lost everything in the catastrophic tsunamis - loved ones, their home and possessions. Like thousands of others affected by the disaster, a humanitarian refugee camp became their home.

Battling the tropical heat, food shortages and even the sadness of the refugee camp, Narmada realized she still had a skill to use - her English abilities. When she organized an English class in the camp, the children came. Her students' parents even paid a fee for the trained instruction. The new-found income began Narmada's financial recovery, along with helping her cope emotionally with the difficulties of life in the refugee camp.

Another obstacle soon emerged, though, when Narmada began having headaches and blurred vision which in time affected her teaching. Since she and her mother were already struggling

"I heard about [Operation Blessing's] medical camp," Narmada said. "But there was no way I could get there in my wheelchair."

So, Operation Blessing teams came to her. A traveling counseling team first met with Narmada. After realizing her vision problem, they arranged for her to receive treatment from an OBI doctor. It turned out that all that Narmada needed was a pair of glasses, which Operation Blessing provided.

"I was excited and joyful when I was able to see again with the glasses," she said. "I don't have enough words to express my gratitude."

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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