The team uses a car to move back and forth from the guest house to the Women of Hope office where all of the training is taking place, but my preference is to take a "bike" or motorcycle taxi which is the main method of transportation here in Makeni.
We've gotten accustomed to people shouting "Apoto" (white person) everywhere we go. The children are especially animated and start chanting a-po-to, a-po-to as we go by.
The women that we have been working with have been very patient as they try to learn new skills. One of the courses is making Christmas ornaments and they could not imagine why anyone would pay money to decorate a tree. I thought it was a reasonable question.
Making paper has been more work than any of us could have imagined. We are trying to use local resources (most of which are free) and of course they are different than those used in the U.S. so there have been a few challenges, but I have full confidence that Jillian and Renee will figure it out.
The women have really enjoyed the cooking class. Every day they learn to make new food that we hope will be a big hit with the locals and create a steady revenue stream for the women in the program.
I have been busy video taping the stories and testimonies of the women who are being served by Women of Hope and taking pictures that will document our time here and the great work that WoH is doing in Makeni, Sierra Leone.
The philosophy of Women of Hope is to give women the tools to develop dignity, purpose and transformation. This is no easy process and there aren't any quick fixes. Women of Hope is committed to walking with disabled women until they believe that they are uniquely created and loved by God and know that He has a divine purpose for them.
Why is it that so many of us are stuck in our striving instead of embracing this truth. As Westerners we have a lot to hide behind. These women are confronting their disability and finding freedom.
What disabilities do we have that we are hiding? Wouldn't it be better if we surrendered them to God and trusted that He has something better for us?
--
Tim Salmonson
Executive Director
INVISION GLOBAL NETWORK
No comments:
Post a Comment
Please let me know what you think...