We did not just visit Ethiopia, we made new friends and saw opportunities, possibilities for people. People that think and feel and hope EXACTLY the same as you and me... except their lives are so hard and exhausting I don't really know how they go on.
Do you remember the two words I came home with after the trip?
Thoughts.... "How will I ever begin to describe the people and the country of Ethiopia to my friends and family at home? Give me just two words, two that will help me tell about what I experienced. The country. The people.Two words that would describe both." That is what I wanted, and I got them.
Strength
Beauty
And now sixteen months later I add five more words. So now, when I say Ethiopia these words come to mind:
Strength
Beauty
Joy
Resilience
Perseverance
Life
Hope
Remember THIS picture?
I call it Hopelessness and Death
It was taken near the community of Tamma Mexi. This is where the people of the community come daily to gather water. Unless it is not the rainy season or there is drought. Because then this pit of of sickness and death dries up.
And then the women and children travel on foot over very rough terrain... Oh, what? ... rough terrain... what? I asked what that meant.
This is what the chief in Tamma Mexi told me. He said, "That means no animals, no carts... Animals cannot go there and that means no cart can either. So the women and children carry their jerry cans." Those jerry cans that weigh 1 pound each, they fill them and rest a short time....
Then they lift the jerry can filled with water.
They lift the jerry can that now weighs 41 pounds and carry the water back to their homes.
And that takes 8 hours every day.
And yes, that water too is the same quality as the water pit near their homes.
Not Safe. Not safe for human consumption.
But that is all they have, so they consume it, because they are thirsty.
Just like you and me.
Here are some of the children I met that day - Notice how their clothes are mostly beige, brown, dingy? That is because the water they have is not only their drinking, cooking and yes, bathing water; it is their laundry water too - it stains their clothing.
When we left I cried. But the people stayed there, because that is their home.
So home we went. We had a project plan and funds were raised and so we could stomp on injustice - the work could begin.
My colleague, Kiera, is in Ethiopia right now. This morning, wonder of wonders we were able to chat online - She filled me in on what she was seeing and sent me the pictures of Tamma Mexi that she took a few days ago.
Here is the pit of water today.
Empty.
No rain since May.
But that is not why it is empty.
It is empty because the water is captured now at the spring, where it is safe.
So now let's call this
Health and Freedom
Look close and note the sign says, "Hand Dug Well" - That's right, no big machines could get in there. So. Hand dug. By the people.
People of strength and beauty.
The people that sixteen months ago said, "We ask for help, we are ready to work, we will do the work." They meant what they said.
Kiera said that though people were not drawing water when she was at the pump she saw them in the community, and good health is evident. (Yes! Fist Pump)
She was happy to report "I drank water from the pump." She could do that ... Because now the water in Tamma Mexi is SAFE WATER.
This kind of giving and helping is called - Helping without Hurting -
It is a hand up, not a hand-out. It is a good way to work to bring true help to real people, people that are just like you and me. You might want to consider a couple of these ideas -
Check out this website.
Order the book.
Read it.
Spread the word.
http://www.whenhelpinghurts.org/
For reflection and more true stories; consider this idea.
Eight short chapters, one a week for eight weeks. Do it alone, do it in a group.
http://www.lifewater.org/significantsacrifice
Bring dignity to lives. Do something significant and lasting.
Offer a real hand-up not more dependence.
Please.
2 comments:
Amazing. I would love to visit someday.
Look into becoming a Lifewater volunteer... :)
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