This Is Africa – Guest Inspiration
Posted: February 19, 2012 at 9:16 am
How can a Habitat for Humanity turn into a Habitat for Optimism? Read Carolanne’s post to see how…
This Is Africa
Written By: Carolanne Monteleone
You’ve seen the pictures of a frail, thin-to-the-bone, child in Africa. You’ve watched the heart wrenching commercials of a similar child frowning at the camera, with big pleading eyes. You think you know what poverty is. Maybe you’ve been poor yourself. But in reality, you cannot even begin to imagine how lucky you are.
I traveled to a little country in the south eastern part of Africa in August of 2010 called Malawi. I was 18 years old, fresh out of high school. I had signed myself up to journey half way across the world to a third world country with a group of strangers I was partnered with through Habitat for Humanity. Habitat for Humanity builds homes for families in need all across the world.
I watched a little girl in tattered clothes eat a piece of paper she found on the ground, because that would be her only meal for the day. I played with a baby boy whose foot was deformed but would never get medical attention. I spoke with a young lady who wanted to go to school past 8th grade, but couldn’t afford it. I held a baby in my arms whose mother died of a simple flu.
How do you stay optimistic in front of these beautiful children who despite all their problems, continue to have a smile on their face? I realized on this trip that I was not Superwoman, and I could not save the world. But what I did realize was that I could change the world for a few people. And I was already in the right direction. I watched the people of Malawi, who were in great poverty, live like God had blessed them with the most beautiful gift: life.
The people I met on this trip taught me to live my life to the fullest, keep a smile on my face, and treat every challenge that I encounter as an adventure. It’s impossible to not be optimistic when your life has been forever changed for the better.
Optimism saves lives…
Written By: Carolanne Monteleone
©2012 Carolanne Monteleone. Please contact me and ask for permission before using this writing.
Did you enjoy Carolanne’s post, This Is Africa? Comment below to answer.
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Hello Anthony,
We have it, too, here! Unfortunatly in these days we are not very positive in thinking, but we hope we will find solutions! I have decided to make some steps in order to help my mother and my sister as everything becomes harder and harder with each day!
Please if u have any clue where u can forward this letter please do this for us if i dont ask too much from you, or write back to me and if u can, guide me to a solution that u know about!
Thank you in advance!
Wishing you all the health from this world!
From Human to Human,
My name is Daniela Chiriac and I am writing this to you as an ultimate solution for the issues I meet everyday in order to help in the best way possible my family members.
Here I have my Mother and my Elder Sister suffering of ACUTE PROGRESSIVE MUSCULAR DISTROPHY.
As it is known already is no real cure for this illness, I am just trying to keep them alive and I do the best I can to keep them on their feet, walking, even if it’s a very hard taks for them to fight with this muscular illness!
My mother suffers of:
1. Diabetes (non insulinodependent) she is on:
Glicazidum substance – Diaprel the commercial name
Diabetes Testers – Are not granted by state because she is not insulino dependent!
2. Hyperbloodtenssion taking betablocants
Metroprolol substance – Betaloc Zoc 50mg the commercial name
Amlodipline substance – Tenox 10 mg
3.Steatosis IV degree
The medicines for diabetes and hyperbloodtenssion are for free from Romanian state and I can have it all the time!
My Sister is struggling as my Mother with MUSCULAR DISTROPHY and for this illness NO medicines are granted by the Romanian state as it needs only vitamines and it is considered as being a luxury illness in Romanian Medical System!
For Muscular Distrophy and Stetatosis I administrate for both of them (MOTHER AND SISTER) the fallowing!
Once per month ten shots with Vitamine B1 and B6
And everyday Vitamine E100mg, Magnezium, Calcium 500mg, Vitamine D3, Coenzyme Q 10 100mg, Vitamine C 1000mg, Glutathione Reduced 500mg, Diabet Supliments and Painkillers…We also used Noni and the mixtplants for ColonHelp!
We have income, but our income do not represent not even 50% from this illness needs and I struggle everymonth to buy all these medicines, but I cant succede this all the time as we also have to pay the bills as any normal person and also this illness needs a certain food diet which cant be cutted no matter as many debts we have.
For everything I wrote I have documents which proves my story and those can be translated in English if it is needed!
In the end of this letter I want to ask you deep from my heart if u can help us with sponsorship (by person or by foundation) regarding any of the medinices I told you about in this letter I will always be greatfull to you! Even if u can help me with only one from these medicines you will help me this way to be able to by the other one, or to buy the diabetes testers which are very expensive! Anyhelp from your side will be a real help for a better life for my mother and my sister!
And I underline the fact that I don’t want money and I don’t want to make troubles to anybody, I am just looking for help to procure these medicines!
Not in the last, even if you cant help me I still appreciate that you read my story, and even for this I am greatfull! Also would be great if you have other suggestion for me in order to obtain a sponsorship and if you can guide me to a solution for this!
Sincere Thanks,
Daniela Chiriac!
Contact:
E-mail: kamora_roxanna@yahoo.com
Mobile : 0040.767.27.91.96 – Romania