How Can The World Become Better?
“Don’t spend your precious time asking
‘Why isn’t the world a better place?’
It will only be time wasted.
A better question to ask is ‘How can I make it better?’
To that question there is an answer.”
--Leo Buscaglia (The Way of the Bull), p. 125
Traveling to Rwanda this summer gave me an opportunity to observe a most resilient third world country working diligently to recover following genocide just 14 years ago. Today I’d like to introduce you to Arlene Brown, a 77-year-old widow from Pennsylvania who has founded the Urukundo Home for Children.
Urukundo is a safe refuge for orphans of genocide and HIV/AIDS. In her grandmother/great-grandmother years, Arlene has left family and loved ones to establish this growing, developing home for children. She is probably the most energetic, visionary 77-year-old I have ever encountered. There were four building programs under construction at the time of our visit. When fully expanded Urukundo (which means love) will accommodate more than 100 children, have a boarding school, raise all their own crops and livestock, have a small health facility and a couple of businesses. Here orphaned children can receive an education and develop skills to prepare them for living in their home town of Gitarama, the second largest city in Rwanda.
Leo Buscaglia’s quote is most insightful; Arlene Brown’s energy and visit provide an example of how to make the world a better place.
Ben Keckler
10.22.08
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment