Gift of Live

Gift of Life

Gift of Life enters Karen's world

A MySiquijor.com Exclusive Story

By Rizalie A. Calibo & Eda Lou F. Tangapa

Hers could have been a normal childhood

Karen May “Kakai” Maglangit Bongat was a pretty girl, promise-filled and full of life.

She was going 3, too young and frail to comprehend life, when her fisherman father, “Nong Jesus” accidentally exploded a “petromax” kerosene lamp used for fishing at night in their house at Barangay Lomangcapan, Enrique Villanueva (Talingting), province of Siquijor. It gave her third degree burns all over her body in which she bore the gruesome scars of her lifetime that transformed her once happy disposition.

For a time, life lost all meaning to her. The cruelty of her physical deformity left her embittered, wretched and withdrawn. Why not? While children of her age enjoyed having the grandest time of their lives, she had to endure the rejection and shame of being laughed at and mocked by her fellow children both in school and play hours.

The very sight of her crushed her parents’ souls. But belonging to a family of a very modest circumstance, poverty denied their daughter the chance to get appropriate medications in bigger hospitals. They had to be honest enough to admit that they dared question God and wondered bitterly what He thought He was playing at, what was the point of tormenting her. Life, though, was meant to be lived. The first frenzy of grief gave place to a dull resentment and then to numb acceptance.

Despite the nightmare ordeal of sustaining humiliation from the prying eyes of a discriminating society, Kakai went to study in schools. In books, she had no handicaps. Through them, she managed to find strength and faith to escape from the prison her own body had become. And though life dealt her those painful blows, there always remained inside her heart the hope and promise that someday, somehow she would be that woman who can normally write and wave happily.

Heavens seemed to have been, all the while, listening to her. October 2004 was the turning point that changed her destiny forever. The Gift of Life miraculously entered Karen’s world. That was the time when Gina Kay Obach, a resident of a neighboring town of Maria, went to her and brought her the news that this international organization is willing to sponsor her for a treatment in the US. Apprehensions and fears were perceptible in Karen’s heart; nevertheless, she was filled with hope and determination to make it through.

Karen is a lucky beneficiary of the Gift of Life Program of the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Rotary Clubs, in partnership with the Hilton Head Regional Medical Center in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, USA. As Dr. Edgar and wife Mary Jane Lerias of New York provided the bridge to the Northern Mindanao Association of America (Norminda) and with the endorsement of the Rotary Club of Siquijor, Karen’s case reached the Gift of Life Program in the US.

Program director Florence Albaugh started the rigid documentation process to enable Karen to fly to America, courtesy of the PAL Foundation through its director Menchu Sarmiento. Childspring International of Atlanta, Georgia took care of domestic travel in the USA.

Karen was accompanied to the USA by Gina Kay Obach. Drs. Robert A. Laughlin and Bob Agustin, the Hilton Head Medical Center’s nurses, therapists and other staff, the Gift of Life board members, the Filipino community and the host family of Mike and Debi Lynes showered Karen and Gina with a lot of care. She stayed there for almost six months undergoing plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Now 19, we see in Karen a totally different person - from an aloof, reserved little girl to a high-spirited, confident grown lady. With her eyes glowing, Karen bubbly shared her happy (with her very kind host family) and not so happy days (when she had to endure excruciating pains during operation) in America. She is thankful for all the people who have been with her every step of the way.“God is really good to me! Wala ko ga-expect nga moabot nako ning higayuna. (I never expected this moment would come)". "Dili nako maulaw moatubang sa mga tawo (I’m no longer ashamed to face people),” Kakai said recounting those days when she had the chance to talk to groups of people in America with her life story.

“A real gift, the Gift of Life not only changed me physically, it also helped me build my self-esteem,” she cheerfully said.

Kakai is presently pursuing a short-term course in Caregiving at Cebu Normal College as scholar of the Lynes family. She intends to pursue Accountancy next year. Not only that. Her family has also received a small capital from her benefactor for them to have a start-up business with. Happiness was unmistakable in her Mama Loida’s face. Misty eyed, it was hard to describe her emotions adequately into words. But who would want for words? Her happy tears said it all.

Karen’s life is a miracle purely of God’s grace all of us can access - it’s just a matter of faith. But sometimes God delays His help to test our faith and energize our prayer. Our boat may be tossed by the waves while He sleeps, but He wakes up before it sinks. Sixteen years or so, it works for Kakai.

Note: The lead story appeared in the Sun Star Cebu Oct. 20, 2005

2006 Update

Every since I first heard about Karen I wanted to meet her. When I heard that she had returned from Cebu to visit her family in early 2006 I made it a point to meet her. To say that I was extremely impressed with this 19 year old young lady is definitely an understatement. It only takes a matter of a few seconds before you feel the warmth of her personality and sincerity of her character. I made it a point to thank her for showing the world her strength and endurance. Also I did not hesitate to tell her just how much I admire her. I also gave her some pesos to help with some of her expenses.

She is scheduled to graduate from her Caregiver course in June, 2006. She would like to find a good job in the USA since she enjoyed being in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina during her 6 months of surgeries. However, she is open to living anywhere. I can guarantee that she would excel at her job for she is a lovely person with a big heart.

She would enjoy hearing from people around the globe and you can write to her at the following address:

Karen May Bongat

Lomangcapan, Enrique Villanueva

6230 Siquijor, Philippines

PS. Her birthday is April 26.

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