When you experience the beauty, kindness and generosity of a people, it changes you on the inside! Stepping into mama Yenu’s home, I quickly realized my definitions of poverty, struggle and hardship needed a complete overhaul! Although we have real first world problems, and they have real third world problems… we are truly not that different.
When Hatiso came home from school, mama Yenu wrapped her arms around her son and squeezed him tight! He looked up at her in adoration… the bond, the connection… the love! It was beautiful and it was real! She warmly welcomed us into her home and we sat and talked about her life, her children and Hatiso’s future. His contagious smile lit up the room… he wasn’t just excited… he was hope-full!
“Your favorite subject is English? That’s amazing! You speak it very well!”
“You want to be a Doctor? You would make a very fine Doctor!”
As he painted his dreams in technicolor, I glanced over at mama Yenu… head tilted… heart smiling. She was beyond proud of her son! And she should be! Despite overwhelming odds, he is truly kind, wholehearted and good. He’s an amazing human being who deeply loves his family and his mama! And… he’s incredibly smart!
Yes…We all want to be truly seen, heard, understood and loved! Yes… we want to matter to someone! Yes… we want to know that someone has our back! Yes… we want to be part of something bigger! Hatiso has something that many of us have never experienced. He is a very well-loved boy who is seen, heard and has the love of his family, friends and community. He is a part of something much bigger… and that’s why he can dream! Hope filled dreams!
I pulled out the small care package that contained some little things… but most notable was a soccer ball. His face lit up with excitement… soccer is THE sport to play and now he had a way to play with all his friends!
Making a way… isn’t that what God does for us on a daily basis? Providing, protecting and caring for our every need? Hatiso and Yenu have the most important things in life… but what they also need is a way forward. Financially supporting them opens doors they wouldn’t normally have. Yes, they need food and money for rent… but what they really need is hope. Hope to see that their future isn’t limited by finances. Hope that they are seen and heard not just by their community… but by us… and most importantly, by God. Hope that they are supported by a global community that deeply cares about what happens to them. By sponsoring Hatiso, I have the privilege of being a small part of God’s hope to Hatiso’s and his family.
Full disclosure… I used to sponsor a child from another large organization. But I stopped because I simply was disconnected and didn’t understand. Partnering with Hawassa Hope and going to Ethiopia to see my sponsor child changed everything. This beautiful people are rich in relationships, love and community… something we desperately need more of in our country.
Hawassa Hope is truly changing lives! Clean water for villages, prenatal care for pregnant women, small business loans to help women become self-sustaining, educational seminars, building a school and child sponsorship. Wouldn’t it be amazing to visit your sponsor child? It will truly change you both!