By Ed Epp
One of our goals is to put ourselves out of business!
Surprised?
Let me explain...
Two Bedouin boys were bragging about their fathers. One boy said his
father was a bone setter. He puffed his chest and said: "That's the most
important job in our village." His friend challenged him - he thought
his dad was at least equally important. His job was to prevent bones
from being broken.
A few weeks ago I visited Tajikistan with a group of MEDA members.
During our stay, we visited an orphanage that some of our staff in
Tajikistan support personally. The state of the living accommodations,
playground, schools and general facility was appalling. About half of
the residents were classified as orphans, but they had families. They
lived at the orphanage because their families were unable to support
them. I am so glad there are people like our staff in Tajikistan who are
helping to support the orphanage.
But what if the economic climate in the community was healthy?
What if we are able to put that orphanage out of business?
Unrealistic? I don't think so. Look at Romania. Ten years ago the
situation was very similar. Children were living in orphanages because
their families were too poor to support them. Today the economic
landscape is much different. MEDA, along with many others, have put
these places out of business! When we are successful, we bring new
economic power to individuals and communities - people are able to feed
their families, take care of relatives, support their churches and
contribute positively to their community.
Everything changes when families are able to support themselves.
The reach of MEDA members and donors is staggering. This year you have
enabled 7,000 homebound women in Pakistan to earn their own income, feed
their children. What's more, they are beginning to imagine long term
change within their communities as they expand their businesses. Through
MEDA you have helped begin a brand new program in Afghanistan, helping
to bring incomes to families through simple kitchen gardens. Women can
earn an income as they care for their children! You have helped save the
lives of thousands of babies in Tanzania because they are now sleeping
under a mosquito net. Today those nets are readily available through
local stores - and the vouchers you help supply make it possible for
even the poorest families to afford one. In Nicaragua families are
seeing long term results as their businesses grow. They are confident
that they will be handing over a stable future to their children. In
Egypt working children are a part of a productive society, receiving an
education and understanding their rights. With your help, they are
protected against those who are tearing down the society by exploiting
children.
Each woman who earns a wage, each child whose life is saved, each family
who builds a stable business is one more step towards the obsolescence
of another orphanage.
Our fiscal year is closing at the end of June. Not all the numbers are
in yet, but the initial trends indicate a solid year. This is important.
Because each dollar we raise from private donors, foundations,
governments and other funders means another life, family and community
is changed. This year over 3 million people were impacted by MEDA!
Imagine how much more we can do next year! Because of your support we
are able to go into some of the most challenging areas of the world -
places like Afghanistan. Because of you, men and women who have not been
able to hope in a long, long time are now beginning to see the
possibility of change!
MEDA is like the Bedouin man who prevents the bone from breaking - we
work together with women and men, helping them build a better future for
their families. If you would like to give before the fiscal year is over
- it's not too late. Make a statement for the prevention side of change!
