PHILIPSBURG:--- A senior citizen battling a number of medical issues, who slept in his car after becoming homeless, but was given a place to sleep, which had tarpaulin on part of its roof, can now rest comfortably in a dry environment when it rains thanks to the benevolence of Tzu Chi Foundation and its volunteers.
Volunteers sacrificed their personal time to help repair the man’s leaky roof as part of the Tzu Chi Foundation’s efforts to help alleviate the burdens of the less fortunate in the community.
The 63-year-old Cay Bay resident, Franky Estanus, has a number of health challenges after having an operation on his back. He now has difficulty walking and walks with the assistance of a walking aid.
His challenges were compounded after Hurricane Irma left him homeless and living in his vehicle. Thanks to the kindheartedness of his church, he was given a roof over his head and therefore had a place to rest, sleep, cook, shower, and relax.
The senior is grateful for the help as it had been a major improvement over his previous situation. Parts of the roof of the home were covered with tarpaulin and leaked whenever it rained forcing the senior to sometimes sleep in a wet bed. He did not have the resources to fix the roof and as a result, made the best of the situation.
Tzu Chi through its volunteers learned of the man’s situation and spared no time in trying to assist him. On November 28, a volunteer, who is a carpenter, and his son went to the senior’s Cay Bay residence during the morning hours and along with a number of other volunteers, including a second volunteer carpenter, started the laborious task of removing the tarpaulin and damaged zinc sheets and replacing them with zinc sheets.
The volunteers also helped clean in and around the residence of the senior. The cleaning included trimming trees and branches that posed a risk, cleaning and mopping the home, and even fixing a dislocated fan. Another volunteer left his job around noon to deliver lunch for the ten hard-working volunteers, which included three Tzu Chi Commissioners, and the senior.
The roof was fully repaired as well and the place was cleaned by 5:30 pm on the same day.
“I will never forget what you all did for me today,” a grateful Estanus said after the work had been completed. He said he does not know how long he will be occupying the house, but he was grateful to know that he will no longer be sleeping in water the next time it rained. “For so long the water wet the place every time it rained and now you are helping me. It is something I cannot forget. God bless all of you,” he said.
One of the volunteer carpenters said he always tries to help others in his life, but he realizes that through Tzu Chi, he gets to help together with other volunteers and he feels love and harmony in the group. The volunteer said he has his regular job, but he still tries to find time to help others. “I just love to help people and I give God the glory for that,” he said, adding that he feels the love in Tzu Chi and he sees the compassion in the organization and its volunteers.
The second volunteer carpenter said he enjoys putting a smile on the faces of others through his volunteerism and for this he is happy. Another volunteer said she enjoys helping others who are in need and who appreciate the help given. Tzu Chi Commissioner Sandra Cheung thanked all the volunteers for their time in helping the senior and she thanked the senior for accepting the assistance with a grateful heart.
