Severe Cleft Palate in Cambodia: Baby Dey’s Story

CAMBODIA – In the heart of Cambodia, a young family faced a daunting challenge. Baby Dey was born with a severe cleft palate and lip, a condition that brought with it not just medical complications but also a financial burden too heavy for his family to bear. Dey’s father earned less than $10 a day, an amount insufficient to meet even their basic needs, let alone afford the vital surgery for his son.

A Constant Struggle

With limited resources, Dey’s parents could not afford formula, and the risk of malnourishment loomed large. His health deteriorated as he battled frequent colds and weight loss. Meanwhile, Dey’s sister stood as his champion, confronting those who referred to him unkindly as ‘cleft boy’ and insisting he be called by his real name.

A Ray of Hope: Operation Blessing Steps In

The turning point for Dey and his family came when they learned about Operation Blessing. Through the generosity donors like you, Dey was given the chance to undergo free severe cleft palate surgery in Cambodia. This gesture of kindness was more than a medical intervention—it was a beacon of hope restoring dignity and health to a young child.

Operation Blessing life changing surgery

surgical procedure for child cleft palate

The Transformation After Severe Cleft Palate and Lip Surgery

The surgery was a success. For the first time, Dey’s parents saw their child not only as their beloved son but as a boy with the potential to live a life free from the stigma associated with his condition. He gained weight, his health improved, and the joy in his family’s life returned.

Gratitude and the Journey Ahead

As Dey’s mother beheld her son post-surgery, her joy was mirrored in the faces of those who had supported them. Now looking just like any other handsome boy, Dey’s new beginning is a testament to the power of compassionate care and the importance of supporting cleft surgery initiatives in Cambodia.

Your kindness helped give Dey’s family so much peace. Baby Dey can live a healthy life without derision. His sister does not have to worry about children bullying or picking on him because of cleft. His parents know that their child is healed. This profound impact is all because of you.

Please continue to partner with Operation Blessing. Continue to help us bring hope to people in dire need. Leave a lasting legacy of kindness and show people the love of Christ!

You Helped Restore Health to a Child in Honduras

HONDURAS – Five-year-old Josue loves to play soccer and dreams of becoming a police officer someday. But Josue was born with a hernia that only got larger and more painful as he grew. Your generosity would be the catalyst that would help restore health to this child.

This condition, where internal organs bulge through weakened muscle or tissue, can cause excruciating pain and complications if left untreated. Tragically, in impoverished nations like Honduras, children are too often forced to endure this debilitating issue without access to the medical care they desperately need.

His father told us, “Some days he was in constant pain. We took him to the E.R., but they said they couldn’t do anything because it was not an emergency.” And, unfortunately, the public hospital they had access to would only operate in an emergency situation.

Josue’s parents were desperate to help their son, especially when the pain medicine stopped working. His father said, “I felt a pain in my heart because I wanted to fix him or pay for surgery. But for us, it was impossible.”

And his mother added, “We will never be able to afford the cost of an operation, since we don’t have the money.” No matter how desperately these caring parents tried to help their son, the surgery remained out of reach for them.

The Generosity of Our Partners Helped Restore Health to Josue

Fortunately, thanks to the generosity of faithful partners like you, Operation Blessing was able to step in and provide Josue with life-changing hernia surgery at no cost to his family. After the successful procedure, he is happy all the time and able to run and play without pain. His family rejoiced and his father said, “I am very grateful to Operation Blessing. I hope that you can help many more families like ours.”

You are the reason families like Josue’s can access this critical care, restoring their health and quality of life. Through our life-changing surgeries program, you help bring healing to patients with heart defects, burn scars, tumors, cataracts, and many other dangerous and debilitating conditions. And you not only bless the patients, but you bless heartbroken families as well!

With your support, we can continue reaching more people and transforming lives. If you’d like to get more involved with our life-changing surgeries program, please visit ob.org/surgeries. There you can choose a specific patient to help and to follow along their journey

When Disaster Strikes, You Strike Back with Love, Compassion, and Tangible Aid

WORLDWIDE – This year we’ve already seen countless tragedies around the globe. The U.S. has faced hundreds of tornadoes and powerful storms. Flooding has ravaged Kenya and Brazil. War and political upheaval continue to wreak havoc in Ukraine and Israel. And vulnerable people still face the disasters of poverty and disease. That’s why we’re happy to report that when disaster strikes, we strike back together with love, compassion, and tangible relief.

You are a critical part of providing aid to survivors in dire circumstances around the world. At times like this, your support is more needed—and more appreciated—than ever before.

Thanks to you, we have multiple disaster teams prepared to reach out at a moment’s notice both in the U.S. and abroad.

LINDA – TORNADO SURVIVOR IN LOUISIANA

Over the past few months we’ve responded to tornadoes in Alabama, Ohio, Louisiana, and Nebraska. In Louisiana, we met Linda and her husband after a sudden twister tore through their town. Overwhelmed, Linda told us, “I would just love to walk away and not look back.” They needed friends like you to offer help and hope in their time of trouble.

Although the couple was unharmed by the storm, their property took a beating. Large fallen trees and debris littered their yard. These retirees didn’t know what to do next.

But Operation Blessing supporters like you didn’t let Linda and her husband deal with this burden alone! You showed them that when disaster strikes you are there to help. You sent a team of hardworking staff and volunteers to help. The team cleared heavy debris from their yard, restoring hope for the couple. “I bawled,” said Linda with tears in her eyes. “They have a good name, Operation Blessing, because that’s what they are. They are our heroes!”

ROSANGELA – FLOOD SURVIVOR IN BRAZIL

“Do you know what it’s like to wake up into a nightmare?” Rosangela, a flood survivor in Brazil, recounted her harrowing experience to us through tears. As the floodwaters rapidly rose, she fled by rescue boat. “I cannot swim, and the boat was so small. I was afraid I would die,” she said. In fact, over 170 people died during this flooding that lasted for weeks. And hundreds of thousands were displaced.

Once Rosangela reached safety, she was faced with the shocking reality that the streets of her neighborhood now looked like rivers, and her home lay submerged beneath the murky water. As the rain continued, she had no idea when she might be able to return to her house, or what state she would find it in.

Amid the chaos and despair, you emerged as a beacon of hope for Rosangela and countless other flood survivors. Our Operation Blessing team braved the flooded areas to help with rescues and provide desperately needed relief.

Thanks to the generosity of caring friends like you, survivors received water filtration systems, food boxes, solar lights, hygiene kits, medical care, and over 70,000 hot meals! Once the flood waters receded, you also helped by providing cleaning supplies and chlorine to fight contamination. Rosangela said, “I feel blessed by God to have these things.”

KARINA – WAR SURVIVOR IN UKRAINE

Karina explained to us that escaping a warzone doesn’t always mean feeling safe. Ukrainians not only lost their homes but also their sense of peace.

Although she, along with her husband and young son Danylo (8), managed to survive the nerve-wracking airstrikes and fled the area, they were later cast out of the hostel where they’d found respite. “It’s hard to be confident about tomorrow when at any moment we could find ourselves on the street again,” said Karina.

“My psychological state has suffered from the war,” she told us. “As refugees we constantly worry: Where to live? How to make ends meet? Where to find a better-paying job? How will the children study? The ground was pulled out from under us, and we were deprived of our home and native land.”

She shared that the help she received, thanks to your compassion, saved her from complete despair during this time of crisis. “Your monthly food package truly saved us from hunger! Oil, cereals, sugar, flour, canned food—all of this helped,” Karina said. “I am very grateful to Operation Blessing for the two-year support of our family. For giving us a sense of security in this dangerous world. For not forgetting our plight, despite being so far away!” Thank you for your constant support when disaster strikes throughout the world.

A Journey from Tragedy to a Brighter Future through a Microenterprise Program

SENEGAL – Focusing on school can be difficult enough on its own. Studying for tests, keeping up with the coursework, plus balancing the rest of life can prove to be challenging. Now compound this with the stress of dealing with a personal tragedy. Astou, a young adult in Senegal, knows all too well exactly how this scenario feels. And yet she persevered, in large part, thanks to you for giving her a brighter future through a microenterprise program.

Astou’s mother suffered for some time from kidney disease. After a two-month stay in the hospital, her mother succumbed to her illness and passed away. As though this wasn’t enough tragedy for a young woman, Astou’s father died from a fatal stroke shortly after.

Astou was left as a grieving orphan. Although barely an adult, she now took on the responsibility as head of household and became the sole provider for her two younger sisters. This new responsibility left no room for continuing their educations. Each day Astou and her sisters faced hunger and poverty. They attempted to sell baobab leaves, ice cream, and juice in their community. While they made a little money here and there, it was nowhere near enough to meet their needs, let alone help finance their educations.

Transformation to a Brighter Future through a Microenterprise Program

Thankfully, Astou’s pastor told her about Operation Blessing’s microenterprise program. Because you care so very much, she and her siblings were trained on how to raise chickens so they could sell them. This program turned the tide in their favor and allowed the young ladies to earn sustainable wages.

“We earned a lot of money from this project,” said Astou. “Now we can buy food and we don’t go hungry anymore. We have everything we need!”

Although the pain and grief from losing both parents remain, Astou and her siblings are abundantly thankful for the blessings you gave them.

“Thanks to God and this program we are all back in school,” exclaimed Astou. “A very big thank you to Operation Blessing and to everyone who helped us. May God bless you a hundredfold in return. May He enable you to reach other places to do what you have done for us!”

Astou went on to pass her university entrance exams and is hoping to become a doctor so that she can help those in need like her parents. Because of YOU, Astou and her sisters now have a bright future.

Comfort in the Midst of Hardship Due to Hunger

UNITED STATES – Delbert and Belinda were used to living a stable life until illness swept in and changed everything. Delbert became sick while at work and was admitted to the hospital. Diagnosed with MRSA and double pneumonia, he faced a long hospital stay and slow recovery. In addition to the stress of recovery, Delbert and Belinda would also face hardship due to hunger.

Even after returning home, Delbert remained very ill. Belinda spent her days caring for her husband while watching their finances fall into shambles. With both of them unable to work, their income plummeted, making it difficult to afford even the most basic necessities. Bills piled up, and the stress took a toll on their mental and physical well-being.

Overcoming Hardship Due to Hunger Because of Your Generosity

Your generosity shone brightly in Delbert and Belinda’s darkest hour. Amid these challenges, your love stepped in to provide the crucial support they needed to begin regaining control of their lives. Friends like you ensured that a partner ministry of Operation Blessing had their shelves stocked with high-quality food products.

The couple turned to this ministry for support and were grateful for the food and friendly smiles they found waiting for them.

“We needed food. We were in, I guess you could say, dire straits,” Delbert began. “It’s like that breath of fresh air. We thought that all was lost, and everything was bleak.” Belinda gratefully added, “We were truly blessed by everything that we got there. I would come in the door and say, ‘Look at what God did!’”

Thanks to partners like you, Delbert and Belinda didn’t have to worry about where their next meal would come from, and they could focus on bills and medical expenses. The support they received was more than just financial aid; it also gave them the emotional strength to persevere.

Now, Delbert is healthy once again, and the couple is looking forward to whatever God is calling them toward next.

Belinda and Delbert’s journey is a beautiful example of how, even in the toughest times, the support of compassionate individuals like you can shine light and share hope. Your kindness shows that every act of giving can make a world of difference to those in need.

Belinda expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you for your donations … and thank you for loving God and loving people enough to help somebody else.”

Thank You for Answering The Need for Clean Water

HONDURAS – In Yarguera, Honduras, the need for clean water was urgent. Families were suffering from waterborne illnesses, and children like Michel had no safe water to drink. The water scarcity negatively impacted every area of their lives.

The people of Yarguera were struggling to survive without safe water. Unfortunately, they had no other options. On a daily basis, they had to consume the very water that was hurting them. But when you saw the need for clean water for children like Michel, you stepped in. You were the hands and feet that reached out to help this community. Thanks to you, the people of Yarguera, Honduras, now have a water system that will supply clean, drinkable water for generations to come.

You Helped Provide Safe Water

Take a look at how your love has transformed this community. Your support has been the heartbeat of this life-changing project. Thanks to you, the struggle for clean water has come to an end. Now, members of the Yarguera community have access to abundant safe water right in their village.

Your generosity has also enabled the training of a local water committee to oversee the water system, ensuring its sustainability for years to come. Your support gave the village invaluable education on proper hygiene and water safety, ensuring they are equipped with vital knowledge to improve their health and well-being.

Thank you for bringing the transformative power of water to Yarguera for Michel and for generations to come. Imagine how different the lives of the people in Yarguera will be because you chose to act. You are changing lives for years to come!

Compassion Transforms a Village with a Rainwater Harvesting System in Indonesia

INDONESIA – It might seem like such a simple thing to those of us here in the States: making sure people have access to pure, fresh drinking water. But in the mountainous region of Indonesia, it has not been simple at all. Generation after generation watched its plentiful rainfall go to waste. They were an example of a village that needed a rainwater harvesting system in Indonesia.

For young Idealis in the small village of Botombawao, that meant carrying on as his forefathers had done: fetching water from unclean sources like the river.

dirty unsafe water in the small village of Botombawao

“My family directly bathes in the river, then we collect water from the river using cans that we bring home,” said Idealis’s mother, Tinaria. “We use this water for both drinking and for our livestock.”

That meant long treks for water to drink, bathe, and wash their clothes in—even when it was murky and unpleasant. But they had no other option. And for a young boy like Idealis, it’s all he has ever known. Until now.

The Impact of a Rainwater Harvesting System in Indonesia

Your generosity helped make it possible for Operation Blessing to offer 34 families and one church in Botombawao the wonder of a rainwater harvesting system. This simple yet innovative method captures, stores, filters, and treats rainwater, offering a beacon of hope for communities like the one where Idealis lives. This lets Idealis and other kids in the village spend their time studying and playing, instead of searching for unsafe water.

The community celebrated their new system with a special ribbon cutting ceremony. Tinaria said, “Now that we’ve received help, my family and I are extremely grateful.” Thanks to special partners like you, Operation Blessing can make a huge difference for so many families in need.

Defeating Hunger in Honduras

HONDURAS – The future looked bleak for Jorge and his family after an accident broke his leg. As a hardworking woodcutter, his family depended on him to provide for their daily needs. With his leg broken, they faced hunger. To make matters worse, Jorge couldn’t afford the surgery to repair his leg. For two months, he languished in a government hospital. But his story didn’t end in tragedy. The kindness of Operation Blessing donors and partners helped this hard-working father defeat the threat of hunger and overcome.

an injury leads to hunger for a woodcutter named Jorge

Dolores’ Struggle Against Food Insecurity

Before Operation Blessing stepped in, the family’s situation deteriorated rapidly. Jorge’s wife, Dolores, felt the strain right away. With their savings rapidly depleting, she attempted to start a small food business. Despite her best efforts, the family barely earned a dollar a day in profits. Their young daughter, Gabriela, painfully recalled the hunger they endured: “It seemed like we did not eat a lot. We only drank water.” Food security in places like Honduras is a stark reality for many families like Jorge’s, who don’t have effective strategies to defeat hunger.

a family goes hungry due to loss of income

Operation Blessing: A Beacon of Hope in Overcoming Hunger

When Operation Blessing learned of this family’s plight, we took swift action to address both the immediate and long-term needs. First, friends like you provided the surgery Jorge needed to repair his broken leg. While this tackled the root cause of the family’s financial crisis, Jorge’s family needed additional assistance to prevent them from facing this situation again.

Empowering Families to Defeat Food Scarcity

Defeating hunger long-term requires sustainable solutions. Operation Blessing provided Dolores with the tools she needed to build a thriving business. A stove, pans, packaging, and supplies for a plantain chip and snack venture paved the path for this family to climb out of food scarcity. Gabriela’s words, “Now we don’t have to go hungry,” underscore the incredible impact of this gift.

Long-Term Impact: From Food Scarcity to Sufficiency

Months after the Jorge’s accident, he was able to return to work with a fully healed leg. His family’s circumstances improved. In addition to his income from woodcutting, Delores now-successful business provided enough for their family’s needs. Their transformation provides a great example of how targeted aid can break the cycle of hunger and lead families towards self-sufficiency.

Your Generosity: The Cornerstone of Hope

The incredible impact of Operation Blessing’s work in Honduras was made possible by the generosity of our donors. Your contributions directly fund life-changing surgeries, provide essential business resources, and offer hope to families facing dire circumstances. You are the reason Jorge can walk again, Dolores can run a successful business, and Gabriela no longer goes to bed hungry.

Join Us in Defeating Hunger: Be Part of the Solution

Your support can transform more lives and help defeat hunger in places like Honduras and beyond. Every donation, no matter the size, contributes to overcoming food scarcity and bringing hope to families in need.

Will you join us in this crucial mission?

To make a difference today and help families like Jorge’s overcome hunger, partner with us! Together, we can create a world where no child goes to bed hungry and families have the opportunity to thrive.

Born With Cleft Lip In Cambodia: A Journey of Peace

CAMBODIA – Little Dana’s parents were devastated when their son was born with cleft lip. Medical care in Cambodia was limited, and they did not know what to do for their precious little boy. Dana’s mother grappled with feelings of failure, and his father felt hopeless.

The Emotional Toll of Being Born with Cleft Lip

Dana’s early years would be full of difficulties, and his parents longed for a better life for their son. His mother questioned what she might have done wrong during her pregnancy. Regular ultrasounds showed no abnormalities, so the entire family was shocked at Dana’s condition when he was born birth. His father was committed to caring for his son but felt lost about how to provide the necessary medical intervention.

disappointment due to her child's cleft lip

A Turning Point For Dana’s Family

But their fortunes changed when they learned about Operation Blessing, an organization dedicated to helping families overcome challenges like cleft lip. Through the generosity of Operation Blessing and its supporters, Dana received free surgery to repair his cleft lip. The successful procedure not only corrected the physical aspect of his condition but also brought renewed hope and joy to his family.

charity helping children with cleft lip in Cambodia

A Family at Peace

Following surgery, Dana’s transformation began. Not just did his appearance change, but so did his overall health. He was able to begin gaining weight. And his parents finally felt a sense of peace. They were no longer tormented by the reality that they could not do anything for their son. Thank you for having a heart to help other families get the surgery their children need.

Ohio Tornado Survivors Find Hope

OHIO – After the storm, the air hung heavy with an uneasy stillness. The tornado had come and gone through Wapakoneta, Ohio, leaving behind shattered homes, twisted metal, and broken lives. But there, amid the despair that threatened to overwhelm hurting residents, a flicker of hope came to life. For survivors like Robert, a veteran and widower, that hope came in the form of caring strangers—Operation Blessing friends like you. Friends who cared enough to provide Ohio tornado relief to Americans in desperate need.

“I feel like it was a miracle. Because, had I been there, I probably wouldn’t be sitting here now,” Robert said of his narrow escape. “I was lying on my bed, taking a nap, and something woke me up—made me feel like I should get out of my camper.”

Upon returning to the decimated campground he once called home, Robert encountered a surreal scene. “Campers thrown everywhere, debris everywhere, people’s personal belongings everywhere,” he recalled. But even in the face of such loss, Robert felt that there was purpose waiting for him on the other side of his painful circumstances. “I’ve been wondering for years what my purpose is. I believe God has a purpose for me, and that’s why I’m still here. I just believe He has a purpose for all of us.”

Restoring Hope Through Ohio Tornado Relief

And it was your generosity that helped make it possible for Robert and other tornado survivors to find freedom from hopelessness. Operation Blessing’s disaster relief team swiftly deployed to Ohio, working tirelessly to help victims start again by providing Ohio tornado relief. Your gifts enabled the team to provide essentials like hot meals and also hotel rooms for those who lost homes. This freed survivors from worrying over their basic needs so they could start piecing their lives back together.

For Robert, the assistance was a godsend. “I’m very grateful to Operation Blessing for giving me a place to stay and bringing me hot meals every day, offering me any care that I need, including spiritual and mental support. It’s just been a wonderful blessing,” he shared.

“I could be sleeping in my car— instead I’m staying in a hotel room.”

He was beyond grateful. “I can’t be thankful enough for everything you guys have done, really, and I really appreciate it. Thank you. And I thank God for you.” Your compassion empowered tornado survivors to rise above their troubles, paving the way for healing and restoration.

Thank you for being the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing hope and freedom to hurting Ohioans when they needed it most. Your impact will be felt for years to come.