Delight in Sight!

Today was a very special day…

Renato is 5 yrs old… he was born blind in one eye because his mum contracted measles during pregnancy… 

He is one of eleven children. He is in Manila because of the typhoon. His mum died protecting her one month old baby … as a tree fell on her whilst she held him.  

The dad. A farmer. Was left with 11 children and no home. He owned a carabao (domestic water buffalo) which he sold in order to buy ferry tickets to take his family to Manila … where the only option was to distribute the children out to family members. 

One family's story of Yolanda's devastation … 

… and today I had the incredible privilege of meeting them, and being a part of changing this little boys' world …

I am not aware of how they came to know Gentle Hands but Charity had organised an appointment at the American Eye Centre … and, as Gentle Hands nurse, I was tasked to accompany them. Dad, Auntie and Renato … Dad and Renato spoke only Leyte dialect (not Tagalog), Auntie spoke Tagalog, Leyte dialect and minimal English. I spoke … well … Taglish (and badly) … yet it somehow worked … it always somehow does :) 

Although nothing can be done with his blind eye, his other eye was diagnosed as 'near sighted' and he was given a prescription. 

So … following a brief pit stop at Gentle Hands, we took a trip to the local shopping mall to buy him glasses … an ice cream and a little bit more!

Sarah Joy…. suggested a ride on the carousel …. and I am so thankful she did.
His smile lit up my world 

In just one day, the view of his world changed!! I have no words to express the joy that brings. 

Gentle Hands good works continues to astound me.