Jude Tiner of Bayonne is on a mission to help save the life of a young girl he met in the Philippines.
Although he hasn’t returned there since his first trip last year, the internet has allowed Tiner and the girl to stay in nearly daily contact.
“She sang a song for me by instant message,” Tiner said during an interview last week. “I didn’t understand a word of it, but it was lovely anyway.”
Born on Dec. 4, 1998, the girl, named Meraly Garcia Mariano, suffers from a rare heart ailment called “Tettology of Fallot.” Her heart has two holes in it that can only be repaired through surgery.
Tiner, a Vietnam War veteran, had heard about orphans in the Philippines through his church, City Chapel, and decided he would go there to see for himself.
Had to see for himself
In some ways, it was a trip back in time, since Tiner remembered the Vietnamese orphans he had seen while serving in the military.
The trip in 2006 changed Tiner’s life, but more importantly, it allowed him to meet Meraly, who he called “a spunky girl” with amazing courage and a will to live.
Her story – like many orphans from that part of the world – is filled with tragedy.
Born into an impoverished household, Meraly was the older of two children. The father, a farmer, apparently worked a small piece of land in the mountains. When life grew too hard, Meraly’s mother committed suicide, which Meraly apparently witnessed.
Unlike many Filipino girls her age who are generally reserved, Meraly is outgoing and clever – attributes that drew Tiner’s attention immediately.
“She’s happy and she gets along with everybody,” Tiner said.
Meraly’s need for surgery became a mission for Tiner.
“I started trying to raise funds to bring her to the United States as soon as I got back,” he said. “Unfortunately, it has taken me this long to get it done.”
Tiner, however, has become an unrelenting force in Meraly’s life, someone who can’t forget her and refuses to take ‘no’ for an answer when it comes to saving her life.
Working hard
A longshoreman employed on the New Jersey docks, Tiner has used his volunteer positions to help orphans and to seek funding for the operation that Meraly desperately needs.
Doctors say that if she does not get surgery, she will not likely survive to see the age of 16.
While she has seen government doctors in the Philippines, Meraly didn’t get the proper diagnosis until she saw a private doctor. Even then, the cost of the needed surgery was beyond her.
While Tiner and others are working hard on her behalf, time could be running out. Tiner said people are worried about her immune system and her lack of growth.
Fortunately, Tiner’s efforts have been heard. Help has arrived from several sources, including The Gift of Life Foundation, a project of the Rotary Clubs of District 7490. Tiner and the foundation have managed to get St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Paterson to perform the surgery for free.
“St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital has agreed to provide the medical care at no cost to the family through our Gift of Life program,” said Raymond Hough, foundation chairman.
St. Joseph’s will take a token flat fee from the foundation, and the hospital will provide housing and meals for the child and her guardian while Meraly is a patient.
Arriving this month
Meraly is scheduled to be admitted to the hospital on Aug. 20, and will arrive in the New York/New Jersey area around Aug. 10.
Tiner said Bayonne City Council President Vincent Lo Re put him in contact with Harold Kawalek, who helped make some of the arrangements.
While Tiner is paying the airline costs out of his own pocket, he said other costs still need to be handled, such as the cost of transportation and other issues related to the almost two months the girl is expected to stay in this area.
Working with the Bayonne VFW 226, Tiner is trying to raise funds locally to cover the additional costs.
“We’re going to have a fundraising dinner,” Tiner said. “The date is still tentative.”
Still need help
Funds can be donated through the Rotary Club or through the City Chapel – which recently relocated from Bayonne to Jersey City.
Dr. Jack Smith, who recently returned from a tour in Iraq, helped kick off the fundraising campaign with a donation.
“I think it is a good cause, and Jude is such a force for good,” Dr. Smith said. “This is such a big undertaking, and he is giving his time and effort.”
Tiner said this is something he needs to do.
“If I do one good thing in my life, let it be this,” Tiner said. “I know the Lord guides a good man’s steps. I believe I have been guided to do this.”