It was a typical Saturday morning at the mall.
Trying to get first dibs at the Target Toy Sale; rummaging through all the sales racks in the kids clothes shops; on a mission to tick off every much wanted item on the consumer list.
It’s shopping expeditions such as these that the blinkers are on and I would’ve easily raced by one particular stall.
This time though, something stopped me.
I walked over apprehensively to look at the pamphlets. Surrounded by so many photos of innocent faces, I felt overwhelmed.
What was I doing here ?
An assistant walked over and greeted me with the warmest smile anyone had in that retail jungle.
“Hi, can I help you?”
“Um…just, just looking at the moment…but…”
Something caught stuck in my throat. I knew if I uttered another word, the emotion would override and that’s the last thing the world of busy shoppers needed, a blubbering mess of a mother.
The girl caught on instantly and noticed that I couldn’t hold her eye contact.
I continued looking down at the photos.
“Just keep talking…just keep talking,” I tried telling her through telepathy.
Keeping her smile intact, the World Vision volunteer continued to explain what sponsoring a child entailed. We went through the costs, where the money went, how I could contact the child in question (no large gifts, just letters and photos).
Then, came the question. An innocent one for her, but a burning one for me.
“Is there a particular country that you’d like to choose?”
“Well, I’m from…” Again, that bloody frog in the throat.
“I’m from Indonesia…” I managed to mutter.
Then she pointed to two photos, right in front of me.
It was so hard. Almost impossible to hold back the tears.
You see, all the poverty, the natural disasters, the pain and suffering in my country of birth rarely leaves my mind.
And for so long, I’ve wanted to do something worthy, even if small.
With each visit I make back home, I randomly give a little here and there – to the family living in the remote mountain tops, to the massuese who has to find work in another city far away from her children.
But that’s not sustainable.
Undoubtedly, events over the past months have played a large role in getting my finger out and finally doing something.
Quietly, I read Eden’s journey to Niger. I listened in awe to Richenda from World Vision speak at DPCON12.
Then, last week, I asked Trish if she was okay for me to send her flowers. In her typical pragmatic nature, she never said no but she did suggest a donation to World Vision instead.
“It’ll go further and save lives too…” she wrote.
I’ve mentioned before that I believe things happen for a reason. That a turn of events can lead to the one that matters most.
How can you help millions and millions of people in dire need?
I can’t.
But I can start with one.
So last Saturday, I met a little girl whom is now my sponsored child. She is 11 years old. No siblings but a father who’s a construction worker and a mother out of work.
She’s a connection to the country that’s the most important to me.
Finally, I feel like I’m giving something back.
Linking up with Jess for IBOT
That is going to be one happy little 11 year old Indonesian girl and family! A loving way of creating a positive ripple effect in the world and an important one at that.
Beautifully written too Gracie x
Thanks, Kirri. So glad that I’m making a small contribution now x
That is wonderful Grace!
I wish everyone in this country would just help ‘one’, whether it be one child, one animal, one charity…..
Obviously helping a child from Indonesia has such a special meaning to you, and you should feel good about it! You’re doing a great thing!
xxx
Tracey @ Bliss Amongst Chaos recently posted..Photo A Day June ~ Day 25
Thanks, Tracey! Got all choked up with emotion when I did it. But so glad I have! It means the world to me that she’s from Indonesia.
‘But I can start with one.’ You might not be making a huge difference to all the people of Indonesia but you are making a huge difference to that 11 year old child. Good on you Gracie! xx
Penny recently posted..The Birthing Suite Continued (Short Tale Tuesday)
Thanks, Penny. It was overwhelming enough to know that I was helping just one little girl. Hopefully I’ll be able to do a lot more…
You are going to be so happy weepy when you get your first letter from her!
OMG! Don’t you know it??!!! I am going to be an emotional wreck! 🙂
Excellent and thoughtful post. I can’t wait to hear more about this 🙂 Rachel xx
Thanks, Rachel. Sponsoring a child feels amazing.
What a wonderful thing to do.
Oh and bless Trish for preferring a donation than flowers. There really are some amazing women out there. Yourself being one of them
Fairy wishes and butterfly kisses lovely
Rhianna recently posted..Raising a champion is no easy feat
That’s a lovely gesture.
My SIL is Indonesian too. My dad still thinks she’s Japanese, because she’s from Java 😉
Kim-Marie recently posted..Holiday Movies: Ice Age 4 and Brave
LOL! That’s so cute, Kim-Marie! I hope your SIL makes some yummy Indo food for you 😉
Actually, I don’t think she ever has! I’m allergic to onions and garlic which makes it a bit tricky! 🙂
Kim-Marie recently posted..Thankful Thursday : Just the way we are
I love how things come full circle / are all connected. That little 11 year old girl was waiting for you Grace! xx
Deb @ Home life simplified recently posted..When mothers return to work
Yes, I think she was, Deb. I’m even thinking about the possibility of meeting her and her family next time we go to Indonesia. We’ll see 🙂
What a lovely post. We have a little sponsor child and it is lovely hearing how he goes at school etc. We had had him for about 7-8 years now. It must be lovely to have a connection to the country of the child you are sponsoring. ….Visiting from #IBOT
Wow! 8 years! It must be amazing to see him grow through all these years.
It does feel very special to sponsor someone from my birth country. Very special 🙂
That is great that you are doing something to give back to the community. The thing I love about world vision is that they provide you with the details of who your money is going to help. It makes it so much more personal.
Chrissie xx
Chrissie at Me and My Munchkin recently posted..The Ideal Life
Yes, it’s great how the volunteer really sat me down and explained everything. There was more that she wanted to tell me but I was so worried that I would burst into tears. But yes, absolutely amazing that they tell you where the money is going.
oh grace.
this was just… beautiful. Im sitting at work blinking madly because you made me want to sob halfway through!!
xx
Lyndal recently posted..if its not personal, why is it happening to me?
Thanks, Lyndal. I was crying buckets at the keyboard writing it. x
What a lucky little girl and a beautiful, beautiful post. We sponsored a girl in Sri Lanka who was about 8 when we started sponsoring her. She’s now getting set to become a teacher…. the ripple effect in action. How wonderful that you can make a difference in a country you have such a strong connection to.
Misha recently posted..Slice
Misha, I read out your comment to Mr Surfer this morning. Just to hear that you know you helped her make a difference and that she’s a teacher now is amazing beyond words. Amazing x
Good on you Grace! So glad you made the commitment. It really is such a beautiful worthwhile thing.
Jess recently posted..Dislike
Thanks, Jess. Even if it’s a small contribution, I’m glad I’m doing it.
What a wonderful way to connect to your homeland Grace 🙂
Ai Sakura recently posted..A Singapore Yacht Trip
Thanks, Ai. I really feel that way. So much more connected than ever 🙂 x
Beautiful post, Grace. It doesn’t take much to make a difference x
Tina ~ Tina Gray {dot} Me recently posted..Personal Torture
Thanks, Tina. That’s it. It’s a small contribution, but feels so significant.
What a thoughtful thing to do grace. Hope the little girl will benefit from what you give her.
salz recently posted..Posse of Bloggers
I hope she does too, Salz. But I have every faith in what World Vision do so I know it’s going to make a difference to this little girl’s life.
Beautiful! Good on you. x
Emily recently posted..SBS is ‘resting’ Letters and Numbers
Thank you, Emily! It’s an amazing feeling! x
Oh you made me cry. How lovely that your sponsor child is in Indonesia too. That will be a great lesson and connection for your kids.
Rachel @ The Kids Are All Right recently posted..To Sir, with Love, but I’ll never be your Facebook friend
I was a blubbering mess when I wrote this! And yes, it will be a great connection for the boys. I’m even thinking of the possibility of meeting her and her family when I go to Indonesia again. That would be amazing 🙂
Yeah, so I am crying and have goosebumps, and you are fucking beautiful.
And, you reminded me to sponsor another child. Have been “meaning to” ever since I got back from Niger.
Thank you so much, Grace.
XXXXXXX
edenland recently posted..Hey lady in the cafe: Not everyone thinks your kid is awesome!
Thank you for kicking me in the butt to actually do it!!!
Love your work, Eden. Always have xxx
That is such a special thing to do , plus a connection with your homeland .
You will change that girl’s life beyond measure.
In awe of you Grace.
Trish recently posted..I must confess …
I’m even in more awe of you, Trish. Thank you for your inspiration.
That connection with Indonesia now even feels stronger. x
if everyone living in a first world country just started with one there would be no more poverty!!
Mum’s the Word recently posted..Kids and ECA – extra curricular activities
That’s it! Perfectly, beautifully said !!! xxx
Gorgeous Grace. There are so many great charities out there doing so many wonderful things. I think it is important to choose those that have a special meaning or connection for you as you have done.
Martine@themodernparent recently posted..The Role of the Bystander : Give Kids the Skills to Say No To Bullying
Thanks, Martine. Choosing a charity that let’s me have that stronger bond with Indonesia has really made it all that more worthwhile and special.
Grace this is beautiful. Thank you for sharing this. I really want to do the same too xxx Fi
Fiona @ My Mummy Daze recently posted..The 52 Week Project: time to smell the roses
Thanks, Fi. It was a lot easier to do than I thought xxx
Lovely Grace, really heartwarming. I believe that you can make a difference one person at a time and you’ve done that. Beautiful message x
workingwomenuas recently posted..Slow cooker bolognese recipe
Thank you! And yes – even if it’s only one person, it’s still significant.
a beautiful post
Emma recently posted..Project 365.. Last two weeks
Thanks, Emma!
That’s wonderful! And I’m sure it will make a difference to that little tyke and family. love Janet xxx
Janet recently posted..Snooping in my Library Pt 1
Thanks, Janet! It’s an amazing feeling to know that I’m helping her and her family x
What a beautiful exchange Grace. We are indeed led to where we need to be. xxXOoo
carmen recently posted..Confession time.
That’s it, Carmen. That’s totally it xxx
Nice one Grace. You’re living your name, again.
Mum of Adult Kids recently posted..Moving and cleaning go together, like peas and carrots
Naw…thank you, my dear ! 🙂 xxx
It must be so hard for you living here in Australia when you know how hard it can be back in Indonesia. My husband’s cousin’s husband is from Aceh and we were all spending Christmas together in Queensland when the tsunami hit. It was just awful knowing how many people would be affected and not knowing if his family were ok. Indonesia has had it so tough. It’s really lovely that you are giving back.
Laney @ Crash Test Mummy recently posted..Help me write the truth about being a SAHM: Part 2
Oh, that tsunami broke my heart. I have family that live in the province directly south of Aceh. I hope your cousin-in-law’s family were all okay in the end x
Beautiful post Grace and such a lovely way to connect with your roots x
Carli recently posted..the pick me up
Thanks, Carli. It feels like there’s a new extension to my family x
Beautiful story. And one that will continue for a lifetime I’m sure. We’ve been sponsoring a girl called Mercy from Malawi since she was 5 (as our daughter was also 5). She is now 13 and my dream is for us to visit her one day. I hope that your generosity will urge more people to sponsor children for World Vision, Eden has inspired a lot of us to be more aware that’s for sure. xxx
Becci recently posted..Getting a little distracted – and a Giveaway!
She’s now 13 ??! Oh, wow, Becci…that’s amazing!
I’ve been meaning to sponsor a child for ages now (My husband has been doing it way before he even met me) but I guess all these past events just led me to finally making that commitment.
Both Eden and Trish have been so inspirational. xxx
That is such a wonderful thing to do Grace. Hasn’t Eden’s journey made such a difference! We started sponsoring a little boy in Senegal a few months ago, and I tell you, getting the first letter from his father made my heart melt. Xxx
A little boy from Senegal! How lovely! I can’t wait until we start communicating with my little girl and her family 🙂 xxx
One at a time. Every big change happens from small things, moments – actions. Good for you. You’re a beautiful person making the world more beautiful for doing this.
Nami recently posted..Leave Them Kids Alone
Ah, thanks, Nami. It’s a small contribution but I know it will go a long way. And yes, I’m starting with one little girl now, but there’s all these other possibilities that I’ve started to think of too.
Made me cry. Inspiring post Grace x
Catherine Rodie Blagg @CoTaaB recently posted..Memoirs of an overworked washing machine (Short Tale Tuesday)
Thank you, Catherine! Can’t wait to give you a real hug on Saturday ! 🙂
Beautiful post and such a nice gesture. I hope you will tell us more about your experience with sponsoring a child
Thank you! I will definitely keep you posted on how our journey goes 🙂
Just gorgeous Grace. You’ll be making such a difference to a young girl and her future. I do hope you get to meet her one day on a trip home.
Shari x
Thanks, Shari! It’s an amazing feeling to make this connection. It’ll be something else if/when I meet her in person 🙂 x
That’s wonderful Grace. Something I’ve been thinking about doing for some time but just “never got around to it”. Thanks for the further inspiration x
Née recently posted..Is it a balloon or a ball? {Review & Giveaway}
I’d been faffing about it for way too long, Nee. It was such an amazing feeling when I finally did it.
Good on you Grace, your own children will benefit from this too.
Colleen recently posted..Our Science Experiment
I’ve sponsored for a while now but never had quite the deep connection you already have with your sponsored child. Regardless, giving to any child in need is worth it and I hope I can teach charity and a greater understanding of privilege, generosity and kindness to my girls through sponsoring a child.
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