We can learn a great deal from the people we serve in South Sudan.
Over the years, they have shown what to do in a crisis. They celebrate small things, enjoy each other day-to-day, choose sacrifice as a first response, and ALWAYS think community over the individual.
They are an excellent example for us all.
So as you contemplate how you will manage the next few weeks or months, will you please allow our friends in South Sudan to affect your plans?
Celebrate the small things (read a book, write a note of encouragement); many will suffer financially (who can you serve, deliver groceries to), and as a community, a nation, a family, let's do all we can for the greater good.
By the way, my wife and I are in self-quarantine, having just arrived back from London, where we helped our OASIS BOX partners, Bond -E-Shams raise $30,000 for more water. We celebrated the founder's 28th birthday. The founder Hamza is another example of why education is so important. Everybody at Bond-E-Sham is in their 20's. No one receives a paycheck!
Hamza's idea for the solar box came from his own battle with water born disease as a child. As Lou Holtz said, "Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity." Check out Hamza's story.
What innovative idea is in the future for Mary or Mary?
Mary and Mary are two young teenage ladies slipping and sliding, pulling and climbing their way to a future.
They want to go to school and change the future of their nation.
Mary Yabbu is 15 and spends her weekends frying up cassava to sell in town. It's how her mother can pay her school fees.
Mary Sunday lives with her grandmother, where she spends her weekends working in the fields.
Both girls' days start with a 2-mile round trip walk for water when it's available.
The future of South Sudan, the future of Africa, the future of our world is in the ideas forming in young minds. When we give out of our abundance, they get the basics.
It's a simple formula with powerful results.
Please continue to give to our work (we never stop) and find someone in your community who needs some help or give to your local meals on wheels today.
Stephen R Roese, President
