The Filling and Breaking of a Heart

Snapshot of a Memory #13

The highlight of my entire trip was the day I spent with my sponsored child, Hassan.  Our mutual initial nervousness was soon dissipated through whole group games.  Within a span of roughly half an hour, I was his mother and he was my son.  Even when he was in the field playing with other children at times, he would immediately react to my call for him.  He dropped whatever he was doing and ran to my side, grabbing my hand and looking at me with expected anticipation.

 

 

I was able, along with many other sponsors and their children, to take him on a boat ride on Lake Victoria.  He had never been on a boat nor seen a body of water bigger than a large mud puddle.  His squeals of anticipation were like salve on my heart. 

 

Once on the water, he took in every aspect of the ride with great wonder.  This picture was taken just after the driver switched directions on the water and the boat started rocking slightly with the waves.  Hassan's eyes became worrisome as he jumped into my lap for comfort.  I assured him that he was completely safe.  To be able to provide comfort to him in a time of need filled my heart with maternal joy. 

 

 

 

Our day went by too quickly.  After tearfully opening presents from one another, it was time for him to leave with the other children.  He sobbed as I rocked him in my arms.  Even with my trying to “SHH” him and tell him it was OK, there was no denying our mutual heartbreak.  As he pulled away from me, I heard the sweetest voice say the sweetest words I have even heard, “I Love You.”  My mother’s heart broke as I then led him to the bus.  With a quick kiss on his forehead, he was on the bus and gone.  All of the sponsors held one another and cried as the bus drove off.   It was a day full of emotions and worth every one of them. 

 

To change a life of a child as well as your own, consider sponsoring a child through Compassion.

A Thank You to Our Soldiers from Children's voices

So often we can say "Thank You" and the words fall off our tongue too easily.  Out of the innocence of children, though, the words are more heartfelt.

On this day, a tribute to our Soldiers, let the childrens' voices ring true to all of our thoughts of appreciation.

 

 

Let the Children Sing - One More Time

Snapshot (more like a video) of a Memory #12

It's been over three months since my return from Africa.  Some memories are still so fresh that just a brief recall brings tears to my eyes.  Others need to be resurfaced as I either scrapbook my photos or talk with others about my experiences.

I've had two conversations that continue to haunt me.  Both of them included getting back to the "normal" routine of life.  Even though both of these individuals were forever changed by Africa, the images and feelings fade a bit into the background a life's daily requirements suck up all the energy we have. 

My challenge to all the sponsors who I traveled with and all those who are following my blog and supporting my cause of literacy for Africa is this : 

We Cannot let the Children Slip Onto the Backburners of Our Minds!

In an attempt to remind you of the remarkable little souls we encountered, I will let them tell you what they are looking for - Sing my little ones!

Compassion sponsor trip July 2009
 

The Resourcefulness of Ugandan Women

Snapshot of a Memory: #11

So answer me this - What do you do with your magazines after you're done reading them?  If you are a Ugandan woman, you make bracelets and necklaces out of them, of course.  This pictures shows a rather remarkable use of such a disposable commodity. 

Day One of our Uganda trip we were introduced to resilient women at the Child Survival Program (CSP) Project in Kampala.  Among many other products they make to help them support their families, I was fascinated how they could take strips of magazine paper and make these beautiful pieces of jewelry. 

As willing students, we watched as the women took the long strips and tightly rolled them into beads.  With a straight needle to start the process, our patient teachers guided us as we "tried" to roll these very small beads together.  The ends were so small that it was difficult to keep it all together.   

   Trust me - It is much more difficult than it appears!

This painstaking act of love is one these women have mastered.  Their jewelry is lovely.  I purchased a green choker for myself and have received many compliments on it.  I absolutely love my necklace!   This piece of jewelry is priceless to me. It is a physical manifestation of a mother's ability to use any and all resources at her disposal to provide for her family. 

For more information on the CSP or Compassion's work, please visit their website.