Giving the gift of sight
Volunteers of the Tzu Chi Foundation witnessed the dire living condition of several cataract patients during a recent home visitation activity by the charity group.
In Cainta, Rizal, the volunteers found 58-year-old Windilina Ganotisi, a widow who lives with two daughters, a son, and two grandsons, surrounded by construction materials and equipment. The warehouse owner made them caretakers of the place.
Before cataracts claimed her sight, Windilina was a laundress. Her children pray that Windilina could undergo surgery. But the money they make as a saleslady at the wet market, backhoe operator and delivery rider is only enough to provide for their daily meals. Tzu Chi Eye Center became their only hope. In front of a convenience store in East Grace Park, Caloocan City, 36-year-old Marlon Malegro sat huddled up with a tattered banner hanging around his neck, asking passersby for alms.
Marlon had cataract in both eyes. Unable to see, he could not find a job or afford a place to rent. Tzu Chi would also provide for his eye needs.
Meanwhile, a shanty on a sidewalk in Tandang Sora, Quezon City is home to elderly couple Rolando and Aida Gomez.
After two of their children died and their son got marry and built a family in the province, the couple was left to fend for themselves. Rolando repaired umbrellas and shoes for a living while Aida served her husband dutifully. But when cataracts developed in their eyes and they became blind, the couple relied on the kindness of their neighbors and strangers to get by daily.
Desperate to restore his wife’s sight, Rolando sought help from a public service TV program, which advised him to visit the Tzu Chi Eye Center. There, the couple was diagnosed with cataracts.
When volunteers visited the couple and told them that Tzu Chi would help them undergo surgery, Rolando embraced his wife and told her: “Did you hear that? You will regain your vision again!”