March Musings #8: International Women's Day

Today, is the day set aside each year to celebrate International Women's Day. This year's theme, #PressforPower, is a timely one based on the issues present in the world today. It is important for women around the globe to be visible positive forces, to have their achievements recognized, and be influential models for the younger generation. 

I have been privileged to celebrate women's achievements in the refugee village of Masese, Uganda and support my friends', the Garritys, for their work in providing education to 550 elementary children, helping the mothers of Masese to understand how to market their paper beaded jewelry and accessories, and support high school students attain an education. All of these endeavors are supported through the tireless work of the not-for-profit H.E.L.P. International organization and the fundraising efforts on Long Island. 

Each of the 90+ mothers have a craft. They create beautiful hand-crafted jewelry and accessories from paper. When the Garritys first arrived in Masese they found poverty, disease, malnutrition, and illiteracy.  The mothers did not know how to market their wares. Thanks to the Garritys the women now have the knowledge to sell their products and provide sustainable living for their young ones. Their children attend the school that was built through donations and proceeds from the jewelry sales, and eat two meals of day. All of this is done by a group of volunteers led by the Garritys. 

Each long day in the sun,
in my village, Masese,

my hands roll paper-

turning, twirling each piece,

into handcrafted beads -

for a future built on hope.

Hope rises from our work.
Hands swell with crafted pride
and eyes sparkle seeing 
my children filled with joy.
Bellies full and learning fresh
leads us toward betterment.

Hope rises within Masese.

Sustainable living thrives- 
honest fair trade work brings
our refugee village
together as people 
believing in hope.
©CVarsalona, 2018

I feel proud to be part of a mission to support learning and sustainable learning in Masese.

 

Day 8 of Two Writing Teachers' March Slice of Life Story Challenge

Creating Hope from Paper

On Long Island, sound school systems, ongoing learning, and daily meals are the norm, so it is difficult to imagine places where these basics do not exist. But life without learning and food is a reality in many countries across the globe. Until we are connected in some small way to this unthinkable situation, we will not be able to understand the depth of the issue. It is with hope for better tomorrows for the children of poverty in Masese, Uganda that this blog post is written.

Four years ago the Garrity and Silon families, joining with HELP International, traveled to Uganda to visit the Masese people. There, they encountered the struggles facing the village people who were living in slum conditions near the Nile River in the town of Jinja. Poverty, disease, such as Aids, and distressing conditions were prevalent. Women without husbands and orphaned children raised by grandmothers comprised many of the households. With a strong desire to reach out and help, the Garritys and Silons channeled their energy to provide the Masese people with a sustainable living opportunity, schooling opportunities, and hope created from paper.

Through the efforts of these families, the Mothers of Masese, as they are now known, craft jewelry, belts, and bags created from 100% recycled paper that they roll by hand, dry in the sun, and weave together in bright visual patterns and shapes. 100% of proceeds from the sale of the jewelry not only support the women but have helped build the HELP elementary school, pay the salary of the Ugandan teachers, and provide breakfast and lunch during school days. A fence to safeguard the school is being built, supported through additional fundraising efforts. What grew from a school of 40 children to 500 children is an amazing feat of a humanitarian effort started by the Garritys and the Silons.

With one look into the eyes of the children of Masese, many images arise. May this poem about a journey that started with hope fill your heart with a desire to support this worthy cause, HELP Uganda, through the purchase of Bigger Than Beads products. 

Photo taken of Masese Child by Trish Garrity

My Eyes Speak


My eyes, dark and piercing, 

Speak of my village,

Impoverished and ill-equipped,

Hidden from other eyes

But real to me.
My eyes speak of a streaming tear,

Struggles to stay alive,

Education non-existent.

This is my Uganda, 

The land I know
But you did not.

Anticipating a connection-   

Your life to mine-

Across the deep sea,
You traveled

With hearts full of hope.

You came wide-eyed;

Scanned my tattered surroundings.

Bellies extended, ragged clothes

Did not push you away
But called you to help.

Because of this,

My eyes now speak- 

Whisperings of a dream, 

Housed in hope.

My eyes as deep 
As pools of reflecting light,
Visualize images of new life:
A school building bubbling with excitement,

Writing and drawing tools,
Hearty meals of warm food, 
Children engaged in learning,
Prideful work for Masese mothers.

And now, your eyes continue to meet mine,
In unspoken words,
Each time a bead is crafted, 
Jewelry and bags sold.
Beads upon beads
Stringing together a future-

An action beyond imagining

That gives Masese a renewed tomorrow. 

You and I can connect to the world of the Masese children through the HELP Uganda project and the purchase of the Mothers of Mases' beaded treasures, Bigger Than Beads. From the United States to Uganda and back again, the Garrity and Silon families brought supplies, shoes, and a pocketful of hope to the Masese villagers. You, too, can continue a tradition of giving back to the underprivileged. Hopefully, you will JOIN the fundraising efforts. 

Those on Long Island are invited to partner with Sportset Health and Fitness Club and Come Together Yoga

as they support "HELP Uganda" 

with a fundraiser to raise money for the HELP School

Fundraiser will be held at Sportset Health & Fitness Club
Rockville Centre, NY

You can also shop the collection at Bigger Than Beads at  http://biggerthanbeads.storenvy.com/

 

This post is included in Poetry Friday's May 23, 2014 edition, where you will find posts many other poems. This weeks' Poetry Friday is hosted by Violet Nesdoly from the "branches of the latest avian property."