You will not call it “a house.” But for Evangeline Silvestre, 23, who has lived there most of her life, it is her home.

Made from patches of old sacks, used tarpaulin and other cloth material, Evangeline’s  1x2 meter “home sweet home” squats on an empty lot in their neighborhood. She tries to survive with her one-year-old daughter and aging father by accepting laundry jobs that pay only P100 ($2) a week.

Her self-esteem is so low that she has little strength to dream beyond their day-to-day existence.

But this changed when she trooped to the free medical mission by Operation Blessing in their village of Wawa, Pilar, in Bataan north of Manila--and got more than free medicines!

Daughter Laiza, after being diagnosed to be malnourished, became an instant recipient of OB’s feeding program. She will be fed regularly, including vitamins, until her weight reaches the normal level for a one-year-old.

For Evangeline, she received livelihood assistance to start off a fish retail business. Through the support of donors from around the country, OB was able to give her a portable ice chest containing kilos of saltwater fish worth P2,000 ($44).

“I will start selling today. I will sell this to my neighbors,” Evangeline said while checking out her new merchandise. “I hope I can make this flourish.”

And she will... because OB’s help doesn’t end there. OB will be monitoring her business to make sure that she also learns to save and manage her finances.

“We want you to save for your family and eventually become successful,” Pastor Bobot Garcia told Evangeline. “We want you to help yourself and to learn to dream again.”

Pastor Bobot trains members of the local church to encourage and support villagers with the hope of helping them become positive people in their communities.

To help Evangeline, OB appointed her closest neighbor, Angelita Fernandez, 49, as her guardian and overseer. Angelita is a faithful member of OB’s partner church in Bataan and has seen how Evangeline tried to survive through the years.

“Her mother died when she was two years old…I’m happy to be her mother now,” Angelita said.

Evangeline was grateful for the surprise gift. “This will really help us improve our life, and help in our daily needs,” she said. “I promise to persevere and work hard. Thank you so much for coming here!”

YOU CAN HELP

Evangeline’s plight is not an isolated case. Be part of transforming the lives of other Filipinos like her through Operation Blessing’s programs and outreaches.

Through your monthly donations, wives and mothers, sons and fathers, the elderly and the differently-abled can be empowered to bring positive change in their lives and communities.