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BRENDAH & me, DECEMBER 2012
Brendah is now officially our first college student pursuing a law degree! I am so proud of her for overcoming the hardships of her life and striving to become a lawyer to help others. I met Brendah on my second trip to Mudzini Kwetu in December 2012. What an inspiration she is. I was impressed by her thoughtfulness and openness to talk about her life and to seek advice from us Aunties. Even as a brief visitor at Mudzini the girls are so quick to embrace you as family. We are truly a part of something beautiful. |
My Volunteer Interview: 6 July 2011
Tell a little about yourself and what do you want to be when you grow up? When I was little I wanted to be a lawyer. My dad thought I would be pretty good at arguing to get my way :)
What city chapter are you involved with? Boston
Do you have a specific role within Many Hopes? Nothing specific, more of a "put me where you need me" sort of role.
How long have you been involved, and how did you become involved with Many Hopes? I got involved during the first Breaking Ground in 2009. Thomas ask me to help put together materials and we basically pilfered all my work resources (I was working as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association at the time). The first event I helped host was at my friend Michelle's house (now she is starting the San Francisco Chapter). We packed out her tiny apartment, made "ugali" and had over $50,000 pledged that night to build the girls a new house! Reetu had just gotten back from Kenya and in tears she shared how overcome she was with love for these girls after just a week with them. Initially I got involved because it is the right thing to do. I have so much, it is nonsense not to give back. But now it is so much more. It's love.
What made you get on board? I remember when my roommate went to the first initial meeting that formed Many Hopes. The story is what gripped me, that Thomas had seen this injustice, saw hope in Anthony and was taking action. It was a few years later that I started getting involved. As we grow into a truly international organization, I find it inspiring to remember that Thomas was just a man on holiday who let himself be moved and many lives are now being changed. Not just the girls, although of course they are the most important ones, but all of our lives too as we learn to be more selfless, put things in perspective and love others as we love ourselves.
Have you visited the home? If so, tell a little about your experience. In January 2010. We arrived late at night and since the girls go to school so early the next day we didn't see them until that evening so we had all day to look at pictures and try to learn their names. I started getting a little nervous to meet the girls after Reetu had made me cry over her love for them. I was afraid we wouldn't click since I'm not such a kid person. When they got home from school they EXPLODED off the school bus with hugs and screaming "aunty!" and it was ah-mazing! They all got sugar cane after school and were jumping all over the place with sugar dripping down their faces --- AHH! I miss those faces!
What is your favorite moment of your time with Many Hopes? Wow, just one moment. This is too hard. Probably the sugar cane faces. That is tough to beat.
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| sugarcane faces! January 2010 |
Why and how do you convey to your friends and family your involvement with Many Hopes? My friends and family all know about the girls and how important they are to me. My aunts love when I post pictures of the girls on Facebook. I tell everyone about Many Hopes. I just think anyone who learns about the potential of these little ones will be dedicated to helping them achieve it. I always share how happy and loving they are. There is such a living hope in these young ladies that reminds me how even the darkest parts of our lives can be redeemed. It's about hope for them and for Africa, but it's also about hope for us.
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