Normally my blog is business related postings such as information regarding tax issues, payroll, seminars on topics helpful to entrepreneurs, etc. Today I’m writing on a more personal topic. I hope you don’t mind.
Yesterday my daughter left for a two month internship in Zambia to work with orphans impacted by AIDS. She has a passion for working with kids and was so excited to head back to Zambia this summer. This journey of hers began years ago when she was 13 or 14. She attended a youth event and heard about the opportunity to be a missionary in another country. She came home and said she wanted to go to Costa Rica for a month. Since she had never been away from home for such a long time, and had never really been out of the country (other than to Mexico once when she was small), I encouraged her to consider a shorter trip closer to home. She decided that was probably a good idea and chose to go to Mexico to help build homes. She had the opportunity to see how happy families were to see a home built for them, even though it was a small room compared to what we have here. She also realized that she had more belongings in her backpack than some of the kids owned. That trip changed her life. It made her realize how selfish we are as Americans and that she didn’t need all the “stuff” that kids her age wanted.
The next year she went to Panama for two weeks and worked with orphans in the Darien Jungle. She came back with stories of how joyful many of them were even in the midst of their poverty and how much she would miss working with them. The following year she decided to work with her peers in New York, and helped put on carnivals for children in Queens, Harlem and Brooklyn. That trip opened her eyes to the heartache that exists due to the behavior of others. She saw the impact of physical/mental abuse, alcoholism and drug use. She explained to me that she felt more emotionally drained after seeing the situation many of the children lived in each day. While there, they had to wear shirts with a certain logo letting the local gangs know who they were so they wouldn’t be in danger. The summer after that she went to Zambia for a month.
While working in Zambia, she saw how the local organization was helping the orphans. Rather than having a large institution with hundreds of kids and some adults to run the facility, they made “families” of 6-8 kids to one hut with a Mama who is usually a widow herself. Each time the Mama’s home is at capacity, another Mama starts a family with children needing a place. She loved this idea and saw how the kids felt like they belonged. When deciding where she wanted to go this summer,she realized she wanted to go back to Zambia and work with the same kids. Rebecca contacted the agency’s US office and asked if there was an internship available during the summer and found out there was. She applied, was interviewed and accepted.
I’m glad I’ve raised a child who is focused on others and wants to make a difference in the world. She is an amazing daughter and I’m so proud of the path her life is taking. And I want to thank the clients and business associates who knew about her trip and wanted to support her financially. You generosity is greatly appreciated!
Candy
