While I rant at the antics of American political candidates or "wannabes" I received a sobering reminder in today's mail about the really important things that are going on in the world and our own country today.
Today's mail included a Wings of Hope Newsletter of various missions we are involved in here at home and around the world. Where today in places like Nicaragua, Peru, Sudan, Mozambique and Rwanda - life itself is on the line today and everyday. There is no time or desire to talk of other things.
I will spare you the pictures, they are not a pretty sight, but I will share with you the words from the pages of this issue of the newsletter.
NICARAGUA - "Nicaragua is a unique country as it has borders on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Working in the Northeast section near Tronquera, the Quecha tribes are very poor with little opportunity. Wings of Hope has several healthcare efforts and is also helping to provide vegetable plant seeds for home gardens. Soon we hope to start job development programs."
PERU - "Wings of Hope has operated in Peru for several decades. The work is mostly in the Northern section from the downside of the slopes of the Eastern Andes onto the Amazon Basin. In the beginning it was all healthcare. Now, numerous efforts are underway to keep small 'one-room' schools running and introducing better sources of sustainable food."
SUDAN - "The entire world watches as the Sudanese fight over religious principals. Sadly, it seems Peace is very distant. Wings of Hope works to assist the millions in refugee camps with healthcare and food supplies. Recent elections appear to be headed for the birth of a new nation. Time will tell if this impoverished region begins to improve."
RWANDA - "Bukavu is a tough place. Several years ago, tensions soared after decades of famine and pestilence, and a horrible human genocide occurred. Situations are minimally stable as everyone on both sides of the violence are destitute and realize that it wasn't any one group's fault. Our work there involves mediating problems and of course, establishing some level of heathcare."
MOZAMBIQUE - "Most countries have at least two classes of people - those who have most things and those who have almost nothing. Mozambique is one of those countries where essentially no one has anything. Wings of Hope works extensively with healthcare trying to forestall the early death that is common to all poor countries."
UNITED STATES, ST. LOUIS - " Wings of Hope is headquartered in St. Louis and also operates the Medical Relief and Air Transport (MAT) Program. This unique effort brings life saving health care to children with birth defects and adults with complex medical issues. Using full equipped Air Ambulances, Wings of Hope can access the best healthcare for each patient, flying them as many times as required for a successful outcome. Many require several years of treatments to address all their problems! The MAT handles over 600 people each year."
IN A NUTSHELL - "To summarize the work of Wings of Hope, the easy things are difficult and the difficult things are nearly impossible. We must approach situations in these forlorn areas using the processes the local people have available, not what is dictated by the country leadership or our own thoughts.
This fact is what stymies most aid offered by many countries. They focus on the top down approach of pouring money into leadership levels and expect it to trickle down to the poor. Usually, by the time money reaches the front lines perhaps 10 cents of every dollar is actually available.
Wings of Hope works from the bottom up. Allowing the poor to tell us directly what they believe they need. We then advise them on achievable options and they choose the path they wish to follow. While missteps and errors are corrected along the way, we are always vigilant in seeing that almost all of YOUR donations go exactly where you want them to and where the people we serve need them. Nothing is diluted by bureaucracy.
Maybe old fashioned thinking. But if you want to help the blacksmith, you don't bring the Town Council. You only need to bring him a horse. He'll take if from there."
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Thank you Wings of Hope for reminding me that there are more important things going on in this world that requires attention.
It sure sounds like a sensible approach to me. By the way, Annie, how did you get involved with Wings of Hope?
ReplyDeleteHe'll take it from there...LOVE that....
ReplyDeleteA wonderful organization you should be proud to be part of...bless you and all those involved in this organization of kindness and hope.
Mare
When President Obama took office in January 2009, the first MLK Day he declared a National Day of Service and urged Americans to volunteer. At that time the site was called USAService.org - it is now: http://www.serve.gov/ A website where volunteers can find a place to volunteer their services as well as a site for organizations to post the services they need.
ReplyDeleteThis was a comment I posted to USAService.org in 2009 shortly after I found my little niche at Wings of Hope:
"Through USAService.org I was able to contact a fantastic organization called Wings of Hope. Their office is located only ten miles from my home making it easy for me to volunteer at their office on a routine basis. It was through the urging of President Obama to become involved and having a vehicle through which I could find the right volunteer match, that I was able to do this. It is a win-win situation for me. I am retired with time on my hands and being able to use my experience to help others is quite rewarding. I urge all retirees out there to get involved in some way. Each of us has experience that can useful to others. And I think if we keep ourselves busy we feel better for it."
And because of this comment I was one of four people selected to meet President Obama personally when he came to Missouri to celebrate his 100 days in office. It was an unbelievable experience!
Thanks for asking Keith.
Yes, Mare I am very proud of WOH. It's a win-win situation, I always feel good when I am there. It is hard to put into words the environment that fills the air there. Walking out to the hangar to grab a cup of coffee and seeing all these planes being worked on by retirees, getting them ready for missions in Africa or South America or here in the US. Our pilots who fly the planes are volunteers as well, many are airline pilots who do this kind of thing in their off time. Doctors donating services, medicines being donated.... it is so wonderful.
I liked hearing how you arrived at the doors of Wings of Hope. It's kind of like you followed Kennedy's advice and took that 50-mile hike. (I did that.) And so cool that you got to meet Obama.
ReplyDelete