Fatima’s Story

Fatima had a very big growth on the side of her hip (the size of her head). She had this since she was 8 months old and it had been getting bigger as she grew older. Her father, Raffy, had been saving money for her operation for almost 8 years, but since there are 6 members in the family to feed, their savings were never enough to pay for it.

Fatima’s father had asked for help from different charitable institutions for 8 years but Fatima had no luck in getting any help at all. They were always on the waiting list but were never called. As a father, it breaks Raffy’s heart to see his daughter growing up; being bullied at school and not having a normal life like other kids have. The growth grew as she did and got to the stage where she could no longer wear under pants and couldn’t even play with other kids as it was getting heavier.

That year, 2014, Fatima stopped going to school because she couldn’t stand the bullying anymore. Other kids would call her names they made up for her. She felt she was a monster that no one wanted to play with or sit next to. Going to school was causing her more pain than help. She always cried and couldn’t help but ask her parents why she was different from her other siblings.

Raffy only earns enough to feed his 6 children and barely covers their basic needs and costs for them to go to school. The eldest who was 18 at that time had to stop going to school so he could help his father to earn more money, to keep the other siblings in education. They only live in a shanty home, built by Raffy himself out of scrap materials from the building site he works on. With their living conditions, it was more than impossible for Fatima to get an operation but her parents never gave up on her. They were so determined as every day the lump grew bigger.

Greg, a father himself to three children, and a man with a big heart for others especially to those who are less fortunate, felt the emotion of Fatima’s parents looking after a suffering child. Without any question he asked me to organise a meeting with Fatima on his visit in April. I called back DR immediately and told him the good news and ask him to bring Fatima and Raffy to his house so she Skype Greg now. The whole family were delighted when I told them the good news. Raffy hugged Fatima in tears and said to her, God is true indeed.

I flew back to Philippines with my partner, Norman ten days before Greg was due to arrive. I went ahead not only for the preparation of the ceremony but also to meet Fatima and prepare her to meet Greg. I took her to a specialist to be assessed whether Fatima was fit to undergo the proposed operation. Fatima went under different test but never showed any fear at all. Young as she was at that time, she was already determined to change her life for the better. The Doctor explained to them all the risks of the surgery, of which there were many. He suggested a biopsy should be done after the lump is removed, so further treatment can be advised. The only thing we all could do was to pray and wait for Greg to finally meet Fatima. Greg was so determined to change her life and give her a brighter future, he wasn’t going to let anything get in his way.

It was April 15, 2014, Greg, his mother Sandy and the team finally arrived in Iloilo. The next day, the whole team went to Lemery for the handover of the house keys to my brothers. That day was a very significant day not only for my family but also for Fatima’s family because finally they got to meet Greg. They were nervous to speak to him because they couldn’t speak a single word of English but he felt like their last hope that their faith had brought him to Lemery too. Raffy had to borrow money from his neighbour for their fare, just to get to Lemery for the meeting. For them their poverty was never a hindrance apart from Fatima’s health. Before the ceremony started I introduced Greg and his Mum to Raffy and Fatima. Fatima showed them her big lump on the side of her hip.

Being a mother, Sandy not only felt sorry for this little girl to have suffered such a situation at a very young age, but also she fell in love with her instantly. She was beautiful with a bubbly personality, a real angel. Greg and Sandy gave Fatima a big hug, both in tears. They admired the courage of this little girl that after being in this situation for years she still managed to smile at them. From the moment they met until the ceremony was ended Sandy and Fatima were inseparable. She sat next to Greg and Sandy the whole time in awe of them.

After the whole handover ceremony had ended, Greg didn’t waste any time. He told the team to go back to the city to take Fatima to the hospital. He was jet lagged and exhausted but he just ignored it because what was important to him was saving Fatima. He wanted to end her suffering that day. Without further ado, they all got in the car and went straight to Iloilo Doctors Hospital to admit Fatima. It was a sudden decision so preparation to admit her was done while on route. Everyone inside the hospital that night admired Greg for his kindness, sincerity and generosity to help Fatima. It was a major operation so blood was prepared in case of emergency. I was overwhelmed because Greg even offered himself to be tested to see if he can donate his blood to her. Unfortunately, he was a different blood type.

Fatima was taken in to a room to wait for her operation the next day. Fatima’s Mum was still in shock for Greg’s instant decision made to help. She stayed with Fatima that night while she waited. Greg and the whole team hadn’t had anything to eat since 5 o’clock in the afternoon but they didn’t feel the hunger at all. They just want to get Fatima sorted before they left the hospital that night.

Raffy and his wife finally lost control of their emotions when Greg and the team had to say goodbye. They couldn’t thank him enough. For them Greg was a miracle form God for their daughter. They didn’t expect him to do that instantly without knowing them well first. Greg paid all the bills and even gave them extra money to pay for their stay while they are in the hospital until Fatima had completely recovered. Greg and Sandy left Fatima with a big hug and the assurance that everything will be alright and that she had to continue to be brave for her operation. He promised her he would come back and see her before he left to go back to the UK.

Greg has changed the lives of my brothers and Fatima’s life completely too. The following day before he flew back to Manila he went to visit Fatima again just before she went into the operating room. He gave her hugs and kisses before she finally went to in. What an inspiring moment for everyone in the hospital to see an English man giving his full support to a girl like Fatima. The doctor who administered Fatima really admired Greg’s kindness and generosity. One of a kind indeed he said to me. While Greg was enjoying his stay in Boracay with his Mum, he was constantly communicating with Fatima’s family through DR and myself.

The operation was successful but Fatima had to stay in the hospital for more than a week until she was completely recovered. She had been so strong and very brave to face such a challenge in her life at a very young age. After a week before Greg finally left the country and went back to Iloilo from Boracay just to see Fatima again. He wanted to make sure that she was completely ok before he went back to England. Greg departed from Iloilo that day with happiness in his heart. He counted that experience as one of his memories to cherish for the rest of his life. Once he helped a girl named Fatima and my brothers Norman and Genaro. What made it more special is that, he shared this experience with his Mum, Sandy. She was so proud of him and very grateful she had been a part of the experience, changing the lives of these vulnerable and less fortunate people. But of course, this is just the beginning of his journey as a philanthropist helping in the Philippines. His passion to help was burning inside him. He knew there are a lot more to do in that place. I on the other hand had no words to describe my feelings of what had just happened in my hometown. Greg has offered more that I had ever expected him to. We all went back to the UK with a happy heart, excited about what future projects Greg would be taking on.

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