This article in the Christian Science Monitor brings back memories. The sight of a baby perched peacefully on its' mother's back is something you see ALL over Africa. In West Africa, the term used for this makeshift type snuggly is a Lapa...in South Africa, the term is a Kanga.
Just about every baby on the Continent has had it's share of "Back Time." I'm referring to a period which can encompass as little as 3-6 months or as long as 3 years. A time when mother and baby connect because they are together almost all the time. Safely snuggled against mom's back, the African baby observes the world shielded by the comfort of knowing that everything and everyone must come through Mom first!
Consequently, people have noted, African babies rarely cry. Why should they? Mom is never far away. They experience all sorts of exciting things from a "rare air" view...looking at life from a perspective which is usually unavailable to little people. African babies are lulled to sleep by the rhythmic movements of their mother's gait and learn to attune to her voice while listening to the music of her beating heart next to theirs.
This is one reason why being a young orphan in Africa is such a loss. Who will carry you next to their heart? Where is the wrapper to shield you from the harsh physical realities of life? Who will embrace your developing form within the warm confines of mom's cloth wrapped cocoon?
When it's time for a baby to be fed, the wrapper is simply untied and a sling is formed which allows mother and baby to nurse comfortably. For an orphan, the emotional loss of this type of security is enormous. You see on the African continent, it's one of life's meaningful dignities to be carried in the warmth of a Lapa, a rite of passage which provides a dimension of safety through the passage way of life.
It is this sort of dignity that Rocky Turner refers to in her mutahood blog post entitled Underwear for Africa ~How You Can Help. The story by Monstersandcritics.com tells about the sale of second hand underwear in Kenya where Rocky is going to help with the orphanage. It's a story about the loss of a basic dimension of human dignity because of poverty. A dignity which seems held at gunpoint by the cruel ravages of desperation fueled by the scarcity of life's most basic necessities. Something that most in western culture can not fully understood because the experience is so foreign and in some ways unthinkable.
It is in this pause, within this space suspended between disbelief and empathy that the decision is made. The choice to support the dignity of life or to deny it. It is what we do with the least of these that defines ultimately the fate we have chosen for ourselves...because like it or not, we are all connected.
So as the image of the African mother carrying her child continues to run through the slide-frames of my mind, I am reminded that we've all been carried at some time. At sometime, we have all needed care, a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, a hand up, or even hand me down. In other words, in one way or another, we've all ridden for FREE on someone's back and perhaps, now is a good time to return the favor.
Rocky is leaving for Kenya in a few days. We can't go with her physically, but we can support her efforts financially and through our prayers. Rocky is collecting funds for her trip and NEW underwear. You can send donations to her here and visit her blog:
Mothers Fighting For Others INC
Underwear For Africa
27943 Seco Canyon RD # 533
Santa Clarita CA 91350
Donate Here Flyer: Donate Here Flyer
Got Underwear? Flyer: Got Underwear Flyer
Email Message: Underwear For Africa Email 2
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*photo is courtesy of Ferdinand Reus on flickr.com
Lola Audu, is the Designated Broker & Owner of Audu Real Estate. Our company specializes in helping people buy and sell homes in the greater Grand Rapids, West Michigan area. We've had the privilege of helping hundreds of clients succeed in their goals of purchasing and selling property including demonstrated success in the negotiation of Short Sale Transactions. You can contact us via e-mail @ info@auduhomes.com or by phone at 616-791-0511.
WOW, Lola. You are POWERFUL. I carried my Little One in a similar carrier. She was connected to me nearly all the time. You make the loss so real through your words -- many will be blessed thanks to you, and Rocky.
Thank you.
Sarah, Thank You. I know that this will be a life changing trip for Rocky and for those whom she will be serving.
Rocky, Thank you. What you are doing means a lot to me...and I am grateful to support you and this mission in this small way.
Wow Lola! What an absolutely beautiful post. Rocky is amazing to take this on. What a powerful lady who is changing the world one step at a time.
I'm getting ready to post a series of emails received from a friend realtor who just went to Kenya to minister about a month ago and is sending us updates of his adventures. It is truly amazing!
This Post sent me back 10 years ago when I was sent to a country that needed help with the huge Orphan Problem. For 4 years I watched as even a diaper was a luxury, shoes of any sort were greatly appreciated, and medicine, not underwear, was what we all fought to find. A country where the children were dying and no-one cared.
I was walking with this mother in your Post, I am sitting in the Orphanage feeding kids that couldn't feed themselves, and taking dying kids to their first Circus. I am taking a 6 year old blinded by disease to go get an ice cream before he died.
I have seen kids fighting over a piece of bread that we would all throw in the trash and think nothing of....Poverty and Abandonment or Orphaned for any reason affects the kids development in more ways than one. It affects all of society sooner or later.
Projects like this have a lot of impact, and many people just don't realize every dollar counts.....it doesn't have to be a lot of money as every dollar adds up. And believe me in many areas that $1 can do a lot of good.
"Who will carry you next to their heart?"
This is one of the most powerful posts i've EVER read. Not only because my wife is featured, but because the story is so perfectly crafter. You have a gift, a true gift.
Thank you.
Lola,
This is as beautifully written as it's content is powerful. Terrific job. I hope it get's featured so more people can have some exposure to this cause. I can say from experience that there is so much truth to this statement about the bond that occurs from being so close. Thanks for the post.
Lola, I really am at a loss for words. I can't imagine the poverty. Philiosophically, I feel that it is such a waste, but that doesn't put a "face" on it like you did.
Every country has resources and every country has millionaires. What they are lacking is God's natural order. People need to be free to develop. Poverty is generally the result of the wrong kind of government. All of those that think our current war is wrong don't understand the real need to get rid of these kind of governments. I can't help but remember the words to that old spiritual "go down Moses, way down to Egypt land. Tell ol' Pharoah let my people go!"
Just giving them underwear is not enough. They need to be free and unoppressed.
Bill Roberts
Lola:
Beautifully presented! The suffering of orphans strikes a chord in all--and if new underwear, clean socks or a toy can lift a child's spirit for only a short time, it is money and time well spent.
We all owe enormous gratitude to Rocky and her efforts, and to those who bring these chlldren into their homes and protect them with loving arms.
Rocky and Jeff have done both.
Thank you, Lola, for telling the story so well.
To All: Thanks for your comments and contributions for this mission. I have been without access to a computer for several days and I am only now just beginning to "catch up."
Great post - thank you for sharing it with the Active Rain community.
Keep'em coming!
I just received your note and check. You are an angel my friend. I promise you, it will go far!
My best to you always,
Rocky