I can't let this day pass without penning a short tribute to some amazing women associated with CRED partners.
Initially I wondered if I ought to write something just focussing on one woman, but that left me in a quandary:
Do I write about Cherry - an Ethiopian lady who set up the organisation 'Women At Risk' after being upset to see how many prostitutes there are on the streets of Addis, and determined to do something about it, to help the ladies get off the streets and into alternative employment?
Or do I write about Dr Jember - a member of the old Ethiopian royal family, who was thrown into prison during the uprising and revolution many years ago; on release she had to reinvent her life, and as a result has set up community-based organisations to improve conditions in some of the poorest parts of Addis, changing lives of many people for the better?
Or there is Janaki - an Indian lady from Andhra Pradesh who was born a Hindu, converted to Christianity in a life-saving experience, and has set up a ministry that supports lepers, elderly, orphans, tribal communities and many other vulnerable groups, as well as planting 64 churches and training up 54 church leaders?
Then there is Mariet - wife of Theoneste and assistant head-teacher of the Catch Up Education centre run in Kigali, Rwanda, and providing valuable education for hundreds of children who were living on the streets, or members of a marginalised people group in Rwanda
And there are Seble and Birikite and the other staff members of WAR - who give selflessly day after day, supporting the ladies seeking to leave prostitution, and providing a package of care for them, and their children, to help them start a new life
In Uganda is Harriet, who helps lead the community group of Acholi people, seeking positive opportunities for the community - adults and children, and going far out of her way to make a difference.
In Kenya is the teacher who's name I forget, but who works at Spurgeons Academy - a charitable school for orphans and vulnerable children, most of whom have no food except the lunch they get at school. This teacher brings two lunches with her every day - one for her, and the other for one of the pupils in her class (a different pupil each day) - so enabling them to experience new foods, but more importantly a tangible evidence of people who care.
I know Margaret Thatcher isn't / wasn't loved by all, but I do like her quote: 'if you want something said ask a man, if you want something done ask a woman'
Here's to all those amazing women out there, doing incredible works in selfless ways; quietly seeking the best for others, and making a positive difference in this world.
Happy International Women's Day!
Initially I wondered if I ought to write something just focussing on one woman, but that left me in a quandary:
Do I write about Cherry - an Ethiopian lady who set up the organisation 'Women At Risk' after being upset to see how many prostitutes there are on the streets of Addis, and determined to do something about it, to help the ladies get off the streets and into alternative employment?
Or do I write about Dr Jember - a member of the old Ethiopian royal family, who was thrown into prison during the uprising and revolution many years ago; on release she had to reinvent her life, and as a result has set up community-based organisations to improve conditions in some of the poorest parts of Addis, changing lives of many people for the better?
Or there is Janaki - an Indian lady from Andhra Pradesh who was born a Hindu, converted to Christianity in a life-saving experience, and has set up a ministry that supports lepers, elderly, orphans, tribal communities and many other vulnerable groups, as well as planting 64 churches and training up 54 church leaders?
Then there is Mariet - wife of Theoneste and assistant head-teacher of the Catch Up Education centre run in Kigali, Rwanda, and providing valuable education for hundreds of children who were living on the streets, or members of a marginalised people group in Rwanda
And there are Seble and Birikite and the other staff members of WAR - who give selflessly day after day, supporting the ladies seeking to leave prostitution, and providing a package of care for them, and their children, to help them start a new life
In Uganda is Harriet, who helps lead the community group of Acholi people, seeking positive opportunities for the community - adults and children, and going far out of her way to make a difference.
In Kenya is the teacher who's name I forget, but who works at Spurgeons Academy - a charitable school for orphans and vulnerable children, most of whom have no food except the lunch they get at school. This teacher brings two lunches with her every day - one for her, and the other for one of the pupils in her class (a different pupil each day) - so enabling them to experience new foods, but more importantly a tangible evidence of people who care.
I know Margaret Thatcher isn't / wasn't loved by all, but I do like her quote: 'if you want something said ask a man, if you want something done ask a woman'
Here's to all those amazing women out there, doing incredible works in selfless ways; quietly seeking the best for others, and making a positive difference in this world.
Happy International Women's Day!
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