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Please help Uncle Jovanie see the world again!

$765 of $2,000 goal
Given by 16 generous donors in 7 weeks

Giving the gift of sight!

Hillmorton, Christchurch

This is my uncle Jovanie, or as we call him by his nickname uncle 'Baning'.

He currently lives in the Philippines together with his wife (my Aunty Elma) and their 4 kids in a small hut which is barely standing and with only one bedroom! As you can imagine, life in the Philippines is not very easy, especially more so if you are unable to work and provide for your family.

You see, my uncle Jovanie was once a very talented photographer, and that was his passion and his source of income, until a couple of years ago, when he lost both his eyesight.

Unfortunately, one of his eyes cannot be saved as he now has complete vision loss of that eye as he suffered from hypertensive retinopathy, caused by elevated high blood pressure.

The good news is, we still have time in which his other eye can be treated with cataract surgery which will help to remove the cloudy lens. So, I would really love to be able to help my uncle to be able to see the world again, and more importantly to be able to see his own children and wife, as well as help provide for his family again. If you could please help my uncle with the greatest gift of giving his sight back, our family would be so grateful. Thank you very much for your generosity and kindness.

Melanie Swan-Taroa's involvement (page creator)

My uncle Jovanie is the husband to my Aunty Elma, who is the sister to my biological mother (Elsie). My mother died when I was two years old, and my Aunty Elma helped raise me along with my grandparents and other aunties and uncle when I was younger.

Use of funds

The funds will be used to pay for the cataract surgery, as well as medicines pre-surgery and post-surgery. Any funds leftover will be given to the family to help pay for their children's education and living expenses.

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Latest update

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Successful operation!  23 May 2025

Thank you all for your support and generosity. My uncle had a successful operation today and is now on the road to recovery. Thank you all so much! Our family are so grateful for you all! ☺️

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Latest donations

Jecel
Jecel on 25 Apr 2025
$20
Melanie Swan-Taroa

Thank you so much Jecel! God Bless you always 🙏

Melanie Swan-Taroa
Bel & Ken
Bel & Ken on 25 Apr 2025
$30
Melanie Swan-Taroa

Thanks Bel & Ken. You guys are amazing🙏

Melanie Swan-Taroa
Aily
Aily on 25 Apr 2025
$20
Melanie Swan-Taroa

Thank you tita Aily. I really appreciate it! 🙏

Melanie Swan-Taroa
Roland
Roland on 25 Apr 2025
$10
Melanie Swan-Taroa

Thanks so much kuya! And thanks for sharing the page also 🙏

Melanie Swan-Taroa
Jay-Ann
Jay-Ann on 24 Apr 2025
$10
Melanie Swan-Taroa

Thank you so much Jay-Ann. God Bless you 🙏

Melanie Swan-Taroa

Who's involved?

Melanie Swan-Taroa's avatar
Created by, and paying to a verified bank account of, Melanie Swan-Taroa on behalf of My uncle Jovanie
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This campaign started on 9 Apr 2025 and ended on 31 May 2025.