International Day of the Girl: Helping Girls Stay in School

KENYA – The smiles on Violet and her grandmother’s faces say it all! When we arrived at her grandmother’s house, even before she greeted us, her grandmother lifted up her hands towards heaven and said an emotional prayer right there in the middle of the floor. Her precious granddaughter and other girls can stay in school. What a great way to honor the upcoming International Day of the Girl!

Violet’s grandmother kept giving thanks to God over and over. She knows too well just what it means for Violet to receive a supply of feminine hygiene products to last her a whole year. Her grandmother also knows that is one burden off her feeble shoulders.

For a whole year, young Violet will not have to worry about missing class because she lacks hygiene supplies, thanks to Operation Blessing’s recent distribution in her area. Nor will her elderly grandmother have to worry about finding the funds to provide them.

15-year-old Violet is doing well in primary school, but nonetheless, without help from friends like you, her future could have been in jeopardy.

When her father died two years ago, her mother was forced to move to the city to look for work so she could support Violet and her four siblings who now live with their grandmother. Her mother earns a meagre wage that can’t supply for all of the family’s needs. She sends all the help she can to Violet’s grandmother, and they supplement the income by growing vegetables at home, but sometimes there’s simply not enough to buy Violet hygiene supplies when she needs them. Sadly, these important supplies are bottom of the list—almost a luxury for this struggling family.

When they can’t afford feminine hygiene supplies, Violet has to miss class and stay home. It also means everyone in the class knows why she misses school. This ends up affecting her class performance and her self-esteem.

“Sometimes I am forced to miss school and stay at home,” she said. “I feel so bad because my classmates continue to learn, and I have to play catch up. But I have no choice,” she said sadly.

Her grandmother added, “Even when she stays at home, she has to use old rags, and that’s not good for her. It makes me so sad.”

Blessings for Kenyan Schoolgirls

However, because friends like you provided supplies to Violet and many other girls in her area, these girls will no longer miss school due each month, giving them a better chance at success and a brighter future.

“I just want to say a big thank you to Operation Blessing for this gift. I feel like it’s Christmas already! Now I have enough pads for a whole year! Thank you and may God bless you all!” beams Violet.

For less than $10, you can supply a Kenyan girl with enough feminine hygiene products to keep her in school for a whole year too. As International Day of the Girl approaches, let’s work together to put an end to this very solvable problem at ob.org/helpgirls

You Are Empowering Girls in Kenya to Stay in School

You are empowering girls like Belinda to stay in school

KENYA – You are changing the life of 17-year-old Belinda in Kenya, a girl for whom succeeding requires serious resilience and dedication. Despite the many challenges her impoverished family has faced, she remains determined to finish high school and make a better future for herself. And friends like you are empowering girls in Kenya to do just that.

“I am studying hard at school. My favorite subjects are science and Swahili,” Belinda said. “When I grow up, I would like to become a nurse, so I can help other girls.” One of the biggest obstacles to her dreams, and those of many other girls in her village, is that they can’t afford sanitary products.

With sadness etched across her face, Belinda said, “I started having my periods when I was in class five. I remember the first time it happened; I was shocked. I didn’t know what was happening because nobody had told me about it. I was very afraid, but my mother calmed me down and explained everything to me. Since then, I have missed class many times when my mother couldn’t afford the towels.”

Life had always been a financial struggle for Belinda’s family, but matters grew even worse during COVID-19 when her mother lost her small business. “What could I do?” her mother asked. “We barely had enough money for food.”

Whenever Belinda missed school, she lagged behind her class, and this affected her performance and self-esteem. Each time she didn’t show up, her classmates would realize the reason, and this made her feel uncomfortable.

However, caring friends like you made sure that Belinda and many other girls like her can stay in school! You gave her the sanitary products she needs to be able to succeed as she gets her education. Not only that, you offered important training to both boys and girls about women’s health—normalizing menstrual cycles and putting an end to any teasing surrounding it.

Belinda and the other girls were excited and grateful for this valuable support. Your kindness will help them to achieve their dreams!

“This will help me so much. It means I don’t have to worry about missing class again, and I can concentrate in class like the rest of my friends. Thank you so much for thinking about me. It means so much to me. May God bless you all!”

You can get involved empowering girls like Belinda for only $10 a day! Help now.

Coming Alongside an Elderly Widow in Louisiana

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LOUISIANA – Residents along the Gulf Coast have begun to pick up the pieces after Hurricane Ida devastated their communities. From big cities to small towns, the storm left millions impacted. Homes were damaged, belongings swept away, and lives lost. As thousands have just recently regained power after the storm, the Hurricane Ida cleanup begins.

Dorothy, an elderly widow who lives alone, has never seen anything like Hurricane Ida. Although she had lived in her home in Louisiana for 30 years, the strength of this storm left Dorothy shaken.

After it passed, she suddenly faced the reality of the destruction left behind. She had lost her power, her roof, and so many of her precious keepsakes. With only her grandson to offer support, Dorothy felt overwhelmed and desperate for help.

Cleanup After Hurricane Ida

That’s when your love arrived. Because you care, Operation Blessing had already pre-staged in Louisiana to support Hurricane Ida victims as soon as the storm passed.

Your generosity provided ice, water, food, cleaning supplies, and other resources to Dorothy in the days following Hurricane Ida. You also supported volunteers dedicated to Hurricane Ida cleanup. These faithful workers helped clear out debris, tarped her roof, and removed damaged materials from her yard.

As Dorothy presses on, she rests in the relief offered by your kindness. Thank you. To learn how you can get involved, visit www.ob.org/obdisaster.

Running Toward a Brighter Tomorrow

PERU – Three-year-old Raysa had been born in one of the many poor communities of Iquitos, Peru. When her mother, Magaly, was six months pregnant, an ultrasound revealed Raysa had a serious condition called equinus, a form of clubfoot. This would limit the mobility of her both of her feet and could cause the child significant pain. Accordingly, she would need surgery for clubfoot in Peru in the near future.

The news shocked Magaly. She wondered if Raysa would ever be able to walk and play like other children. “When I found out my daughter was going to born with complications, I felt helpless… depressed.”

Nevertheless, when the time came to give birth to Raysa, Magaly experienced great joy at the sight of her beautiful daughter. After the delivery, doctors told her that she could seek help for Raysa’s feet once the baby reached one month old. Magaly followed up and found treatment for her daughter.

“The doctor helped us instantly, but after a month and a half, Raysa got sick and had to stop her therapy,” said Magaly.

The second time they sought help for Raysa, it fell through. And Magaly’s hope began to fade.

Raysa’s unresolved condition broke her mother’s heart. “Every time I tried to put her sneakers on, she cried because it was uncomfortable for her feet,” Magaly recalled.

In the midst of these difficult moments, the COVID-19 pandemic reached their area. As the pandemic unfolded, Magaly did her best to take care of Raysa and her other children. She considered various ways to get Raysa the surgery she needed to repair her feet. “Once I remember that I said to myself that if the time came, I would sell my house to pay for Raysa’s surgery,” said Magaly. However, thanks to your compassionate heart, a different door opened.

Clubfoot Surgery For Raysa

When the quarantine ended and transit resumed, a doctor put Magaly in touch with Operation Blessing staff. They found that Raysa, now age 3, needed surgical treatment on both feet, followed by casts and physical therapy, for a healthy recovery. Because of your faithful support, all treatment for baby Raysa was given at no cost to her mother. The surgery for clubfoot in Peru succeeded without complications.

Today, with your help, Raysa has overcome her struggles! “I am very happy and thankful to God, our father,” said Magaly. “Now Raysa can walk. I’m so grateful to all of the people that helped Raysa, from the bottom of my heart.”

Because of you, young Raysa will be able to grow like other kids. She can now wear normal sneakers to run outside and play, and she no longer cries from pain in her feet. Her mother, Magaly, can now rest knowing that her baby is thriving and enjoying life thanks to your love.

Ida Victims Begin Recovery Process

Operation Blessing disaster relief team pre-staged for Hurricane Ida

LOUISIANA – Hurricane Ida victims have braved the storm. Although the massive system has passed their communities, they now must survive the aftermath as Ida recovery begins.

Millions have lost power. Thousands return to destroyed homes, many devastated by storm surge. And lives have even been lost. Despite the pain, the hard part has just started. Now, residents of Louisiana and Mississippi must deal with their recovery process. Like previous storms, Hurricane Ida recovery will be long and tenuous.

The Hurricane Ida Recovery Process

When the Operation Blessing Disaster Relief teams arrived to the Gulf Coast, they witnessed towns and communities destroyed by the storm. Downed power lines obstructed the streets, roofs had been ripped off, and debris littered yards and roadways. Consequently, thousands of residents could be left without power for the next three weeks.

But thanks to generous friends like you, Operation Blessing has come alongside these hurting people, aiming to meet their most immediate needs with critical hurricane relief. We have begun distributing supplies, clearing homes, and ministering to hurting residents. Their road to recovery will be long but the burden is lighter now because of your love.

Please continue to pray for Ida recovery, Ida victims, and Operation Blessing volunteers as they begin to pick up the pieces after this monstrous storm. To learn how you can get involved visit https://www.ob.org/obdiaster or text “OBDR” to 71777.

Ready to Help Hurricane Ida Victims

MISSISSIPPI – Hurricane Ida struck the United States as a category four storm. Much of the gulf coast, stretching from Texas to Florida, has felt its impact. Millions have lost power and lives have been lost. Currently Ida, now a tropical storm, continues to make its way up through the United States. It brings life-threatening winds, rains, and flooding. However, Operation Blessing friends like you are reaching out to help Ida victims.

Residents of Louisiana and Mississippi felt Ida’s greatest impact. In response, the Operation Blessing Disaster Relief team has travelled to the gulf coast to survey the damage. Moving through Tupelo and Starkville, Mississippi, as well as Covington and Hammond, Louisiana, our team has witnessed dozens of downed power lines, trees obstructing traffic, and severe flooding.

On the Move to Help Ida Victims

We are meeting with local leaders, including at the staging sight in Laurel, Mississippi, to understand the most fervent need and to help Ida victims during this time. Please continue to pray for the victims, as well as the volunteers who are standing by, ready to serve as the hands and feet of Jesus.

To learn how you can get involved, visit https://www.ob.org/mc/obdisaster/ or text “OBDR” to 71777.

Hurricane Ida Strikes—Operation Blessing Responds

Hurricane Ida made landfall twice on Sunday as an extremely destructive category 4 storm. It arrived with 150-mph winds, torrential rain, and a storm surge that briefly made the Mississippi River flow backwards. But thanks to friends like you, even as Hurricane Ida strikes, Operation Blessing is already responding to this disaster.

More than 1 million homes and businesses struggle without power in Louisiana and Mississippi. There are reports of extensive flooding and wind damage across the area. Several levees have been topped by floodwaters. Although most of the hardest hit areas received evacuation orders, there are reports of people trapped in attics and on roofs, and the first casualty has also been reported.

Ready to Respond in the Gulf Coast

Operation Blessing’s U.S. Disaster Relief Team has pre-staged, even as Hurricane Ida strikes. Currently, our convoy of trucks and equipment is now in position nearby in Tennessee, ready to start moving into the impacted areas as soon as possible. They will be providing essential hurricane relief supplies. In addition, they’ve already been in contact with ministry partners and local governments. We also plan to send emergency food and water to the area and coordinate volunteer efforts as needed.

Our deployment manager, Blake Mueller, said, “We’re expecting to see high wind damage, power lines and debris everywhere, and just some real and raw need.” He also points out that we couldn’t do any of this without our faithful supporters like you.

Ida has now weakened to a tropical storm. However, additional flooding is expected as it makes its way northeast through the United States.

Thank you for caring about those facing disasters like Ida. It’s because of the generous support of Operation Blessing friends like you that so many will find hope and help in this time of need.

Please continue to keep everyone affected by this powerful storm in your prayers. And please consider sending a special gift to bless disaster victims today.

Preparing for Hurricane Ida

UNITED STATES – Hurricane Ida has strengthened to a category 4 hurricane. Preparing for Hurricane Ida has became critical as the size of the storm threatens to batter anything in its path. Making landfall, powerful winds lashed the coastline stretching from Texas to the Florida panhandle. Life-threatening storm surge warnings are in effect for coastal Louisiana and Mississippi. Roads and access points that are essential for transportation to and from populated areas will soon be submerged and remaining structures littered with damage and debris.

Hasty Preparations For Hurricane Ida Destruction

These residents are no stranger to storms or hurricanes. Preparing for Hurricane Ida forced the evacuation of many people who feared its destructive power. But while they are away, belongings, homes, and communities are at risk of extreme damage.

Operation Blessing’s United States Disaster Relief team has deployed to our warehouse in Memphis, Tennessee. They are loading up on supplies to meet the needs of affected residents when the storm passes. Please continue to pray for residents in the path of Hurricane Ida, as well as volunteers and staff who are heading towards the storm. To learn how you can bless the victims of Ida with hurricane relief, visit https://www.ob.org/obdisaster or text “OBDR” to 71777.

Hurricane Ida: Operation Blessing Teams Prepare

Satellite image of Hurricane Ida approaching landfall

Operation Blessing Pre-Deploying Disaster Relief Team & Supplies in Advance of Hurricane Ida

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA – Thanks to the support of friends like you, Operation Blessing is able to pre-deploy its U.S. Disaster Relief Team in advance of a potential strike from Hurricane Ida.

An advance team and equipment caravan will depart Operation Blessing early Sunday morning, to include a construction trailer, work order trailer, and several trucks. The caravan will drive to the Operation Blessing warehouse in Bristol, TN, to pre-stage for further deployment after Ida passes.

Anthony Lloyd, senior director of U.S. Disaster Relief, and other team members will continue to Memphis, TN to stage ahead of the storm. The team is currently in contact with partners in Houma, LA, Slidell, LA, Baton Rouge, LA, New Orleans, and Galiano, LA, who are expected to be in the storm’s path. The team will monitor the storm closely over the next 24-48 hours and deploy when the storm has passed.

Operation Blessing has also pre-deployed truckloads of drinking water to relief partners in Mandeville, LA and Cleveland, TX. Additional supplies will be deployed as needed after the storm.

Operation Blessing Responded to Hurricane Katrina in 2005

Operation Blessing was a first responder when Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005 and spent two-and-a-half-years providing relief efforts there, including 265,000 hours of volunteer service, running a free medical clinic that served over 30,000 people with free doctor care and free prescriptions, treating thousands of stagnant swimming pools with mosquito-eating fish to avert a disease outbreak, preparing over 1 million free meals to emergency responders and volunteers, donating an entire fleet of busses to St. Bernard Parrish for transportation of relief workers and volunteers, and providing roughly $5 million in cash grants to local nonprofit organizations for relief efforts.

Help Disaster Victims

To help disaster victims, visit www.ob.org/obdisaster or text “OBDR” to 71777.

A Weight Lifted : You Give Hope to a Struggling Mother in Need

VIRGINIA – As a single mother to three children between the ages of 9 and 13, Aimee does her best to provide for her family. But money can get tight. Two of her children have autism, requiring frequent appointments with doctors. This makes it hard for Aimee to maintain a steady job. Keeping up with numerous medical visits plus hefty household bills and food costs proves a real challenge for Aimee.  Mothers like Aimee often face food insecurity in Virginia. A condition where access to food can be limited by financial strain.

“You just never have money for anything,” Aimee said. “You’re always trying to look to pay that bill. Being a single mother is really hard. Just me and my kids. I try to do the best that I can for them.” 

Bearing the burden of her family’s well-being all on her own, at times Aimee didn’t know what she would do. “You just have to keep the food on the table—and the lights on and the gas and the water,” she said. “Everything comes crumbling down sometimes, and you just don’t know where to go. It’s really tough and hard. You want to do everything for them, and sometimes you just don’t have it.” 

Food Bank To Battle Food Insecurity In Virginia

In the midst of Aimee’s despair, your love provided a ray of hope when she and her family needed it most. Aimee discovered Jonathan Cares, a distribution partner of Operation Blessing in Virginia. Every month, the organization receives groceries from Operation Blessing’s warehouse. To battle food insecurity in Virginia, they distribute to community members in need, and it’s made possible by the faithful support of partners like you!  

For Aimee, the help could not have come at a better time, and it brought her peace of mind. 

“It feels like a weight’s lifted off. It feels like I can provide and be that mother that can give the kids other things instead of worrying about groceries and worrying about where’s their next meal coming from,” Aimee said. “My kids love everything that they offer. They feel good. They’re like, ‘Mom, I can go in there and get some food now!’” 

Aimee’s oldest daughter, Angel, is grateful for the fresh groceries her family receives. “It’s usually fruits, vegetables, and meat, and everything I like! It makes me feel marvelous and excited. … Thank you for making sure that I have food in my belly at night. And in the morning! And at lunch,” she said with laughter. 