Health & Nutrition | An Abundance of Hope: The Story of Reynmar

In 2017, we saw the community of then 14-year-old Reynmar Suarez come together in an effort to help him and his family provide for his medical needs.

Reynmar is one of the three (3) children of Reynaldo and Marites Suarez. Marites works as a Barangay Health Worker assigned in a Sitio in Batangas while Reynaldo earns from working as a mechanic.

Reynmar was an active boy who frequently participated in various World Vision activities in his community. Together with his younger sister, they entered World Vision’s Child Sponsorship Program in 2012 and enjoyed growing with other children they were able to befriend.

In 2016, just a few weeks after his graduation from elementary, he was rushed to a nearby hospital due to consistent fever and severe headache. He was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis which later led to cerebral palsy, a condition that affects body movement and muscle control.

Reynmar was unable to speak, stand, and move on his own because of his illness. He needed to have regular check-ups and undergo therapy to address his condition.
It has been a tough season for Reynmar and his family but when World Vision visited them in 2017, Marites proudly shared that Reynmar is now able to take 1-2 steps with her help as part of his daily exercises. He also regularly takes his medicinal maintenance and food supplement. Although he still suffers from partial seizures, Reynmar is currently in stable condition.

Reynmar’s community also did their best to show their support. Members of the Barangay Children’s Association (BCA) where Reynmar belongs even held a benefit concert for him and his family. The event raised P29,000 for Reynmar.

World Vision Child Sponsors also came together to raise P150,000 for Reynmar’s needs. This amount was able to pay for his medication and was, at the same time, spent on agricultural input to give additional income to his family.

“Salamat sa Panginoon at Siya ang naging daan upang maiparating sa amin ang napakalaking tulong na matugunan ang ibang pangangailangan ni Reynmar. Nais ko pong iparating sa World Vision at sa lahat ng nag-sponsor kay Reynmar ang taos puso naming pasasalamat sa lahat ng tulong na inyong pinagkaloob. Napakalaking tulong po noon sa amin. Umasa po kayo na lahat ng inyong binigay at aming aalagaan at palalaguin. Ipinagdarasal ko po na sana’y kayong malulusog at huwag magkaroon ng anumang karamdaman. Pagpalain po kayo ng Poong Maykapal (I thank God for it was through Him that we are able to provide the needs of Reynmar. I would also like to give my heartfelt gratitude to World Vision and to everyone who gave their support to Reynmar. You have been a very big help. Rest assured, we will be faithful stewards of the help you gave. I am praying for your good health. God bless you.),” shared Marites.

Reynmar is filled with gratitude for the help his family received as it enabled them to provide for him. It may still be a long journey ahead but they are continuously assured of the hope that is in the Lord.