Being home i get to see old friends and friends of the family. one of these old friends of the family who i love and think is hilariousssssssssss made a comment about my africa that made me literally want to drop kick this certain person in the trachea.
we were talking about africa and this person said," i wouldn't give a dime to anyone in that whole continent."
(hahahahah, i was courteously laughing trying to make a joke out of it)
and this person said, "no seriously think about it. between aids, corruption, and diseases in 10 years there will be no one left over there."
I said, (still smiling of course) , "no its on the upturn. I know the people over there, things are changing, its hopeful. . . and if nothing else, I WILL be over there in ten years."
It was a casual comment and muffled in a crowd of people discussing their holiday hor dourves and wassail drink as they anticipated a large dinner and enjoyed the smells and warm comfort of our living room. ....with presents waiting at home and family near, yaaa, why would you give 10cents to a continent with an overwhelming need for shelter, food, medication, and love?
i'm fuming.
How dare someone speak those words in my home where I have traveled to Uganda and loved my work there and adored those people.
I can't even write about it anymore.
I'm furious with this person, but not at the same time.
The ignorance is crushing me. People think they have an idea of the corruption and hunger and disease over there cause they've seen pictures or heard stories or seen documentaries.
Don't you dare think you know anything at all.
I've lived there and walked those streets and my team and I have been a part of that culture and danced with them and sang praises and literally spoon fed the disabled. And we too, can not and will not over generalize our findings.
But if i've learned anything, anything at all, it is that I know nothing.
With this knew found knowledge I move forward hopefully as an ambassador for Africa to try and live my life so that I might go back there someday. This is not just a far off place. This is my other home.
I have given and I will continue to give a dime and all my efforts to that far off place I love.
Merry Christmas my friends,
Vickitoria
4 comments:
Oh, Tori, I'm so sorry.
You remember that little mud hut that said "you and me we are the same" on the back? Africans get it. We are all the same. I wish our idiot friends could get that through their heads.
For the $50 we spent on Jefferson's speakers, you changed the lives of at least 50 kids immediately. Don't let the selfishness of our generation get you down, you do great work.
I love you more than you'll ever know.
I think I've heard that same comment before when I lived in the Geneva ward............hmmmm......wonder if I can guess...........B? IGNORANCE. Says Satan to Jesus,"Why are you going to waste your time on them? They'll abuse you, nail you to a cross, and eventually kill you. Why would you waste your time on them. They'll all be sinners?"
I have an idea of who this person was...oh well--ignorance is bliss to some people.
PS- If you want, when you go back to Africa I'll donate AT LEAST a nickle just to show that person that they are wrong :)
K, Tor time to be blogging pals.
Post a Comment