good people

I have begun corresponding with a man from Seattle who has spent time at St. Mary Kevin’s (my initial contact with Rosemary and Michael was made through a friend of a friend in Seattle, and all these folks know one another). Not only does he seem to fully understand the organizational and financial aspects of the way things run at the orphanage, he also seems very tuned into the emotional and educational needs of the children who are there. His name is Scott. On his most recent to Uganda, where he has visited a lot of different schools and orphanages, he even made a “music video” of the children at St. Mary Kevin’s singing one of their wonderful songs. He is going to share that with me so that I can include it in the power point presentation I am assembling. Scott couldn’t have been more enthusiastic about the place, and he gave me permission to use an excerpt from his email:

“I was frankly stunned by the talent of these children. How incredibly impressed I was with that was only exceeded by the vision of Rosemary and how SMKOM was doing such outstanding work (with such limited resources) to advance a new generation. She shows the world how it is possible to bring children from the brink of disaster and take them to the launch pad of success in life. I have been in most regions of Uganda and Kenya: SMKOM sets the mark - all they need are better financial resources. They have the values, vision, management skill, transparency and accountability - it is all there in place right now - and they have commitment to love for these children. Throughout Africa this kind of love is demonstrated - it is the most powerful force arrayed against the health crisis in Africa - it is so much bigger than what the West does in aid. But Rosemary has shown how to magnify and make so much more effective this work. The whole idea of bringing "motherhood" into the idea of orphan care utterly transcends (and quite frankly puts to shame) the typical Western ideas about foster care. And to see a rock solid commitment to what is, in effect, affirmative action on behalf of young women - completes the picture. Well meaning Europeans and Americans have so much to learn from the staff and managers there. I am delighted to team with you in this work.”

Change the Truth will simply continue to be a better foundation with people like Scott in our corner.

This is true, also, of people like my friend, Laura, who shared this letter she sent to her young nephews in Chicago - children who, this year, are receiving the gift of a donation made in their honor, rather than another toy to toss on a pile that is already quite large:

“Recently my friend, Gloria, went to Uganda, East Africa to do a project there to photograph the orphanages. She has set up a fund that is called Change the Truth, which will directly benefit the children at St. Mary Kevin Orphanage Motherhood in Uganda, East Africa. The money that I am sending there in your honor will enable the children in the orphanage to go to school and get an education to better their lives. I thought that since education is so important to our family, and since we are all getting an A+ education, it would be thoughtful for us to allow other children to have the same opportunities.

I hope this year the children of all of our families will realize how fortunate we really are to have wonderful families, good health, great education and love and support from one another. I hope this donation can make a difference in other children’s lives.”

And in this corner we are building, there is also my son. For Chanukah last night, Max gave me a check made out to Change the Truth.

I am so fortunate to know these generous and thoughtful people.