Giving

Sunday night, Nicky slept at my house. We had to say goodbye to Kaitlin, another volunteer, who Nicky will most likely never see again. We were both sad, particularly Nicky. And another goodbye, even if for just 10 hours, was something we both wanted to avoid.

She looked through her new bag of goodies, the tears now gone, left behind by Kaitlin, trying on hats, shirts, socks; deciding who to give some things to that she couldn’t see the use in; asking what some things were for.

“From everything Kaitlin and I have given you, you’ll have enough clothes for the rest of your life! You’ll probably have enough for your kids!” She just laughed, a little awestruck at the love we have for her and probably the way we show it by showering her in things we can easily replace if we need them again.

She took her time getting used to all her new things, and I took some time working on another GladRags fundraising email, this time to Oprah. Nicky got curious and lay on my bed facing me on the floor for lack of a chair, couch or desk, and we started talking.

“I’m writing a letter so that more people can know about the pads that I’m trying to get sent here, remember when we talked about that?”

“Ghii, I remember,” she told me, becoming more interested in this letter now. “Where will you send it?”

“You know Oprah?” I asked.

She took a moment to consider if we were talking about the same Oprah and then her face lit up with understanding. “You want to be on TV?!” she asked, incredulous that Andara could be that important or I might have connections that well known. I don’t have connections that well known, this is a long shot, but a shot I’m willing to take.

“I don’t want to be on TV, but I want Oprah to know about this project so she can talk about it on TV and then everyone who sees it can donate. I already have over 1000 pads donated.”

“Heeeey!!!” One thousand of anything is almost beyond comprehension here, where I watched kids count how many pieces of spaghetti they each got to eat at lunch earlier that day.

I realized I’ve given Nicky more than either of us could have ever hoped for when we became friends. At age 14, she knows in her heart it’s not the THINGS that matter. I’ve shown her that kids can be treated as equals. I’ve taught her that her voice matters. I’ve let her realize how much she knows and how smart she is and given her a chance to TEACH rather than always learn. I’ve shown her unconditional love and support. I’ve never said no to her because she never asks for anything outrageous.

This final project is one more thing I’ve been able to show her the use in – ask for something, stick to it, and you will be rewarded. She fully supports this project, and not just because she’ll benefit with one more THING being given to her. She supports it because she knows the importance of her education and what it means to struggle to get what she NEEDS, not just what she WANTS.

Give the girls at Andara the gift of education through a donation of reusable cloth pads so they can stay in school when they’re menstruating and don’t have anything else to use. Go to http://www.gladrags.com/c-54-donate-pads.aspx and enter my shipping address (Lori Schippers, 623 Richardson Road, Ashby, MA 01431).

I have just 10 days in Andara left and I’m going to continue giving everything I have to give – my clothes, my school supplies, my kitchen items, but mostly just my love and support by continuing to smile and laugh and share with my friends here.

Happy Thanksgiving.
Lori

"For poor people in poor countries, very little simply falls into place." Greg Mortenson, Stones into Schools