Tears
Tuesday, March 13
I didn't mean to make her cry. I thought it was a straight-forward question, but once again I was reminded of the power of words, even when the intent is innocent.
One of the most appealing aspects of the philosophy of Children's Hopechest is their work to help the children and their families become self-sufficient so that the kids of the current care point participants won't need such a program. Education has been a key part of that, with sponsorship money helping to pay for schooling as well as any obstacles that might get in the way of going to school, such as food and school supplies. Sponsorship can even continue once the child has left the care point as long as s/he is attending a college or university.
Recently, Children's Hopechest has started to develop an IGA (income generating activity) program. This program provides grants to families wishing to being a business so that the up front costs don't get in the way of getting started. Several years ago, a couple participating in this trip bought a couple of bicycles for a disabled veteran, whose son was in the program. He used the bikes to start a rental business and has since purchased additional bikes and is also doing bicycle repair. There are now a handful of these IGAs, with money being raised to fund some more.
Today we visited a woman who has used the money to start a business to purchase the beans used to make shirra. She then dries and sorts the beans to sell in the market.
My question asked her to discuss the impact of the IGA program and how it has helped her get started. Her answer was in Amharic, so I wasn't getting the full impact of what she was saying until a tear started running down her face.
She described, through the translator, how before she had started her business, she couldn't afford to eat, much less feed her children. She is HIV+, so it is very hard for her to find work. Thanks to the business, she is now able to provide for her family. She also expressed her thanks for the care point and sponsorship so that her daughter has a place to go for care.
Even though we were outside, and Ethiopia never seems to be quiet, it was eerily quiet in the courtyard both as she told her story, and it was translated to us. A few in the group were wiping away their own tears as by now the woman's eyes were full of tears. The translator was also visibly affected as she listened and then again as she told us the story.
She went on to tell us how she has dreams of expanding her business into other areas such as berber. She also talked about starting a small restaurant at which she could make and serve food and increase her profit.
These stories are powerful and I was so glad I was able to hear it.
As we left, she gave each of us a hug and started crying again as I hugged her. With more tears, she was talking to me in a loving tone. I didn't understand what she was saying, but I didn't need to as I understood fully the effect the actions of people half a world away have had on a woman trying her best to provide for her family under very difficult circumstances.
I didn't mean to make her cry, but I'm thankful for being able to hear her story.
I didn't mean to make her cry. I thought it was a straight-forward question, but once again I was reminded of the power of words, even when the intent is innocent.
One of the most appealing aspects of the philosophy of Children's Hopechest is their work to help the children and their families become self-sufficient so that the kids of the current care point participants won't need such a program. Education has been a key part of that, with sponsorship money helping to pay for schooling as well as any obstacles that might get in the way of going to school, such as food and school supplies. Sponsorship can even continue once the child has left the care point as long as s/he is attending a college or university.
Recently, Children's Hopechest has started to develop an IGA (income generating activity) program. This program provides grants to families wishing to being a business so that the up front costs don't get in the way of getting started. Several years ago, a couple participating in this trip bought a couple of bicycles for a disabled veteran, whose son was in the program. He used the bikes to start a rental business and has since purchased additional bikes and is also doing bicycle repair. There are now a handful of these IGAs, with money being raised to fund some more.
Today we visited a woman who has used the money to start a business to purchase the beans used to make shirra. She then dries and sorts the beans to sell in the market.
My question asked her to discuss the impact of the IGA program and how it has helped her get started. Her answer was in Amharic, so I wasn't getting the full impact of what she was saying until a tear started running down her face.
She described, through the translator, how before she had started her business, she couldn't afford to eat, much less feed her children. She is HIV+, so it is very hard for her to find work. Thanks to the business, she is now able to provide for her family. She also expressed her thanks for the care point and sponsorship so that her daughter has a place to go for care.
Even though we were outside, and Ethiopia never seems to be quiet, it was eerily quiet in the courtyard both as she told her story, and it was translated to us. A few in the group were wiping away their own tears as by now the woman's eyes were full of tears. The translator was also visibly affected as she listened and then again as she told us the story.
She went on to tell us how she has dreams of expanding her business into other areas such as berber. She also talked about starting a small restaurant at which she could make and serve food and increase her profit.
These stories are powerful and I was so glad I was able to hear it.
As we left, she gave each of us a hug and started crying again as I hugged her. With more tears, she was talking to me in a loving tone. I didn't understand what she was saying, but I didn't need to as I understood fully the effect the actions of people half a world away have had on a woman trying her best to provide for her family under very difficult circumstances.
I didn't mean to make her cry, but I'm thankful for being able to hear her story.
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