Looking back

Recently, I was calling with one of our field workers in Malawi. Not that this is very unusual, because it happens frequently, but the conversations differ a lot from each other, although there are some recurrent topics. Usually I hear a lot of positive things in those conversations, and often also some difficult matters. Some time ago, it was the other way around: a lot of difficult things and only a few positive. This makes me extra alert and I question myself: How can I help, despite the distance?

The amount of work is sometimes so much that we lose the overview. Especially after a lot has happenend before and a lot needs to be done in the future. And we have only a few weeks left before we are going on leave to the Netherlands. And in the Netherlands, also a lot needs to be done.

How can I help, despite the distance?

It is only five years ago that I was talking to 4 young people somewhere under a grassroof about their plans for the future. Poverty had touched their harts. They knew poverty first-handed and had their own experiences. They had seen poverty during their internships. They could not forget this and they wanted to help defeating poverty. Great plans were discussed, but they were not all realistic, we found out. A few months later, there was an opportunity to set up a foundation and shortly after, floodings came. Help was needed. We really started with our foundation. And a lot has happened afterwards...

It is too much to name it all, but when I think about what we have reached so far and how many people we can help, I feel blessed. And with gratitude, I lift my eyes Upwards.

In this way, I could help a little. Despite the distance...