On a daily basis I hear and see things from our field staff that let me know that sponsorship is a bright spot in the lives of our children and their families. Out of everything we do, these accounts/reports make my job as Children International's president truly worthwhile.
There are times, though, when the anecdotes and images are far more difficult to digest, when something doesn't turn out for the best or, here recently, when Mother Nature roars in and takes what is most precious.
As hard as it is to imagine, Typhoon Ketsana took the life of a sponsored child - this is when it hurts the most. By presenting our sponsors with this heartfelt report from Carmelinda Carpio, our communications coordinator in Quezon City, I hope to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in these devastating storms while paying homage to our brave staff in the Philippines who were there in an instant to ease the pain of loss and provide families a bit of relief.
Eight days after losing her life to drowning from typhoon Ketsana’s flood that filled her parents’ home, sponsored child Flordeliza was finally laid to rest along with her paternal grandmother, mother, and 4 younger siblings.
From the wake to the settling of funeral dues to the burial itself, the agency was with Flordeliza’s father, Miguel, along the way to console him…especially during his darkest hours. On Sunday morning, Agency Director Lei Orioste and field officer Marilyn Samolde, who handles Flordeliza’s community, personally attended the funeral rites for all seven of the deceased and gave words of comfort to Miguel and Remedios, the lady who took care of Flordeliza and two other siblings on weekdays.
No word is enough to describe the grief that he is facing now, but Miguel appreciates every little act of concern and comfort for him.
Miguel, who during the first few days of the wake had to go out looking for financial help, was finally able to spend time with his loved ones right after the agency gave its pledge of handling his financial burden.
At the cemetery, sensing that someone had to facilitate the ceremonies and knowing that Miguel could no longer say a word, Lei Orioste told the crowd that they could pay their final respects to the deceased family. She also thanked them for coming and for showering Miguel with support. She then helped organize the burial for each coffin.
At around noon, the coffins were laid to rest beside each other. Although he couldn’t clearly express it, Miguel is thankful that his loved ones were buried close to each other.
No words of comfort can ever equal the amount of sorrow he is currently under, but at least Miguel can now move on and no longer think of where to ask for help. His family can now rest in peace and he can start rebuilding his life. According to Miguel, he will move to another place and take over his family’s old business.
The agency will continue to check on Miguel in the days to come. Our field officer will also pay him another visit during the placing of gravestones on each of his loved ones’ tombs.
Please keep our families and staff in the Philippines in your thoughts and prayers in these indescribably tough times.
- Jim
There are times, though, when the anecdotes and images are far more difficult to digest, when something doesn't turn out for the best or, here recently, when Mother Nature roars in and takes what is most precious.
As hard as it is to imagine, Typhoon Ketsana took the life of a sponsored child - this is when it hurts the most. By presenting our sponsors with this heartfelt report from Carmelinda Carpio, our communications coordinator in Quezon City, I hope to honor the memory of those who lost their lives in these devastating storms while paying homage to our brave staff in the Philippines who were there in an instant to ease the pain of loss and provide families a bit of relief.
Eight days after losing her life to drowning from typhoon Ketsana’s flood that filled her parents’ home, sponsored child Flordeliza was finally laid to rest along with her paternal grandmother, mother, and 4 younger siblings.
From the wake to the settling of funeral dues to the burial itself, the agency was with Flordeliza’s father, Miguel, along the way to console him…especially during his darkest hours. On Sunday morning, Agency Director Lei Orioste and field officer Marilyn Samolde, who handles Flordeliza’s community, personally attended the funeral rites for all seven of the deceased and gave words of comfort to Miguel and Remedios, the lady who took care of Flordeliza and two other siblings on weekdays.
No word is enough to describe the grief that he is facing now, but Miguel appreciates every little act of concern and comfort for him.
Miguel, who during the first few days of the wake had to go out looking for financial help, was finally able to spend time with his loved ones right after the agency gave its pledge of handling his financial burden.
At the cemetery, sensing that someone had to facilitate the ceremonies and knowing that Miguel could no longer say a word, Lei Orioste told the crowd that they could pay their final respects to the deceased family. She also thanked them for coming and for showering Miguel with support. She then helped organize the burial for each coffin.
At around noon, the coffins were laid to rest beside each other. Although he couldn’t clearly express it, Miguel is thankful that his loved ones were buried close to each other.
No words of comfort can ever equal the amount of sorrow he is currently under, but at least Miguel can now move on and no longer think of where to ask for help. His family can now rest in peace and he can start rebuilding his life. According to Miguel, he will move to another place and take over his family’s old business.
The agency will continue to check on Miguel in the days to come. Our field officer will also pay him another visit during the placing of gravestones on each of his loved ones’ tombs.
Please keep our families and staff in the Philippines in your thoughts and prayers in these indescribably tough times.
- Jim
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