Put a drop in the bucket
and watch the ripple effect
If we stand in front of a map of the world and put a mark
on countries of the poor, countries torn by war, natural disaster, political
strife, the globe takes on an air of futility.
What can I do? I'm one person. Nothing I do can make a difference.
Talk to the Habitat for Humanity people ... one house in one community
in one Year ... since 1976 volunteers with Habitat for Humanity have
built homes for 225,000 people in 90 countries. It all started with
one little project, one house.
It's the drop in the bucket with the ripple effect.
When people see that they can make a difference, the ripple effect is
enormous. And that's why 15 people from Burton Avenue United Church
leave for Nicaragua, Central America, in two weeks.
For two weeks they will put their shoulders to the wheel, their nursing
skills to medical facilities, their energy to projects that will make
a difference in this tiny country.
Why Nicaragua? Rev. Joe Reed lives in this country, working with a mission
group. When Rev. Pat MacDonald from Burton Avenue U.C. called Joe for
advice, he recommended service in Nicaragua.
Joe respects and loves the Nicaraguan people. He's built relationships
and believes that by working alongside, entering into their lives, coming
to know about them, understanding their language, their culture, the
social issues and political issues that plague them ... well, these
understandings make for much more effective 'aid.'
"It's about 'being' rather than 'doing'," she said.
Pat said that it's likely the lives of the 15 people joining this missions
will be more profoundly changed than the people they go to help.
The group began its Nicaraguan connection by first raising $2,500 to
be used for a building project.
That goal met, they began to raise money to pay for their own travel
and living, about $2,500 for each person. The group is participating
in the micro loan project where 700 women are on waiting lists for micro
loans that enable them to start their own small businesses. In all cases,
these loans are paid back.
Lots of fundraising has been taking place among this Mission group.
They've sold greeting cards that explain the micro loan program. They
held a dinner dance that raised $10,000. They decided to raise money
for physicians’ travel packs that contain $5,500 worth of essential
medicines and supplies, all assembled and produced for $550. They thought
they'd hold a walkathon to buy two medical packs. People got excited
about the project and they raised enough money to buy seven medi packs.
Pat says the group has raised 10 times its initial $2,500 goal. They're
donating $5,000 to a building project and $10,000 for micro loan projects,
$4,000 for medi packs and the rest will go to medical clinics affected
by Hurricane Felix.
Before they even get there, this Mission group has created many ripples.
Who's doing all this? One is a 17-year-old boy. Another is a 77-year-old
woman. Six are over age 65. A young woman in her early 20s, a father
with a newborn baby ... some middle aged folks who have decided it's
'time.'
It's the first time this group has gone as an actual group and they
hope to meet some of the women who've developed businesses with the
micro loan funds. They will visit the city dump in Managua, home for
thousands of people. They'll study other projects that need doing, and
they'll work side by side with Nicaraguans who are making a difference
in their country.
Quite a commitment for a church with 200 families as its members.
The team will work in a senior citizens home where only people with
no extended family live out their final days.
Third project is a youth drop-in centre for street kids. Spending time
with this project is on the agenda for some of the team.
"We want to meet people where they are, joining what's already
taking place."
Religious component? More spiritual component. It's looking at one spot
in the world where one drop in the bucket can ripple to much, much more.
Thanks, Pat. Thanks Lois Delaforce for calling me about this. Thanks,
Burton Avenue U.C. folks to supporting your 'troops.'
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