I returned last week to Halfani’s grandmother to present her with some donations from my family. Since she is the sole provider for Halfani (and he has HIV) she never gets anything for herself. I gave her two solid longer sleeved shirts for her to wear with her congas (skirts). Previously she wore the only two congas she had – one around her top and one around her waist – but the one on the top had no straps or elastic so had trouble staying up. So she was embarrassed to leave the house as she could not cover herself properly. Now, she has two shirts that she can wear with the congas and she can also wash them properly when she isn’t wearing them.
It was an amazing feeling to give someone something who has so little and yet even the gesture seems too small – but she was so appreciative, so grateful. Charles told me – “She says she will never be able to thank you enough, she will never forget how generous you were.” As part of giving the donation we both put our hands on the shirts, raised them above our heads, then she put on the shirt. That ceremony symbolizes the act of giving, acknowledgment that the gifts are now hers, and in the end we are friends and we hug.
Many thanks to my family for their unconditional support.
Picture: Me and Halfani’s grandmother, in one of her new shirts!
It was an amazing feeling to give someone something who has so little and yet even the gesture seems too small – but she was so appreciative, so grateful. Charles told me – “She says she will never be able to thank you enough, she will never forget how generous you were.” As part of giving the donation we both put our hands on the shirts, raised them above our heads, then she put on the shirt. That ceremony symbolizes the act of giving, acknowledgment that the gifts are now hers, and in the end we are friends and we hug.
Many thanks to my family for their unconditional support.
Picture: Me and Halfani’s grandmother, in one of her new shirts!
0 comments:
Post a Comment