Legend of Jhopye
Meet Jhopye, from tribal village of Sultan Kudarat, Mindanao in the Philippines. She is unique blue eye child, but she is full blooded Filipino.
Her story begin before she was even born. At the time when mother was pregnant with Jhopye, mother was attending village Church. As she watch her other child playing with Barbie doll, mother prayed and ask God to give her beautiful child as this doll. Without any further thinking life goes on and in August Jhopye was born.
When baby was revealed, everyone was shocked. It was baby girl, with light skin, and neon blue color eyes. Child was healthy and no problems are discovered, until later, when mother noticed that baby not reacting to surroundings. However, poor family from tribal province don’t have money to go see a Doctor, so it was later determined that God did grant mother’s prayer and give her beautiful child as that Barbie doll. But turned out, that same as doll, child is deaf and mute, Jhopye can not hear or speak.
Indigent family not able take her to the specialist and child was growing up with 3 siblings, learning some sign language and adopting to harsh living conditions, specials difficult for a child with such disability.
It was not until Dec 2016, when local Government Official learned about Jhopye. At that time with help of private sponsor and arranged by TV/Radio host Ian Ray Garcia, child for the first time traveled to Davao City to see the specialist. After evaluation it was discovered that child maybe able to hear with special implant or maybe even hearing aid.
Jhopye and family was accommodated by Mr. Garcia during their Christmas visit to the City. However, from that time child did not received any help or medical attention, and simply got forgotten.
Blue eye “Good Samaritan” foreigner, during his visit to the hospital shown online story of blue eye Filipino child. This broke his heart, and he decided to find out if deaf child received medical assistance. From the information in online article he was able to locate mother on Facebook and contacted her to inquire about child’s well-being. At this time he also learned her story and that child was forgotten from one time Doctor visit in 2016. Good Samaritan volunteered to find ways to help Jhopye. He reached out to doctor from 2016 and many organizations, with plea for help. After 3 days of desperate searches, calls and emails, family was on the way to Davao City for evaluation by Audiologist. At that time it was determined that child can hear just with hearing aid. Trough arrangements Keystar Foundation come to the rescue and sponsored hearing aid for Jhopye. So, that day, March 12, 2019 Jhopye for the first time heard voice of her mama.
Everyone was worried about Jhopye adjustment to hearing aid and being overwhelmed with all the sounds of this World. However, she was doing good and so much happier, she is very excited to go school and study hard. Upon return home after doctor, there was another surprise.
On March 19, repeating after her sister, Jhopye for the first time said “Mama” … It was very emotional moment and everyone was in tears, the moment that mother waited for 9 years.
Child was told a story about “Good Samaritan” who went above and beyond to help her. Upon return home Jhopye wanted to write thank you card for this person. Even not knowing sounds she was able copy the letters and write such note.
Later she also asks to record a video of her trying to sing Thank You song and how happy she is to be able to hear, even with hearing aid.
Jhopye was love to go school and many things was possible by people of good heart, as Nataliya Churokova from Kazakhstan who got for child first sets of new clothing and shoes, as well as first study materials for speech development.
People of great compassion like Renato Sambrano, who personally sponsored child school supply for the school year start.
>>> To be continued…
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