By Marian Pontz
Sometimes, you have to believe that the money you’re contributing to a cause or non-profit is achieving all that you want it to. But, in all honesty, every donation to a cause must be given without any real expectations to hear/see how your money was spent.
However, then – sometimes – you are given access to a real-life transformation, and your trust in the process is renewed and confirmed.
That is exactly what happened during a recent phone conversation with Dorothy Dulo, co-founder of Sawa (formerly Rafiki). (Ms. Dulo founded the organization – which means “to thrive” in Swahili – with her husband.)
On this call, Ms. Dulo shared the story of young Ester. Ester is the oldest of six children. Tragically, her mother died in childbirth when Ester was 12-years-old; her mother had been not only the family's caretaker, but also the family's financial backbone. When she died, her husband, who has an intellectual disability, and their six children found themselves destitute and unable to pay for rent, food, or any other necessities. A neighbor told the family of a close-by village with a school and people who may be able to help them find a way to support themselves.
And so Ester’s family made the journey to a small village in western Kenya. There, a representative of Sawa made an assessment that found children without clothing or food, as well as a father who was incapable of caring for himself or his family. If no help was offered, it was very possible that, over time, this family’s health, safety, and future could devolve further.
Soon, thanks to the help of Sawa, the family’s older girls were attending school. Sawa also provided two meals a day to the entire family, and the kids felt safe in their new home.
Today, Ester has just graduated college and is working for a business that allows her to help her family financially. Another one of her sisters recently scored third in the 8th grade national exams, and is now attending a prestigious high school.
“This story is a testament to our work at Sawa,” Ms. Dulo said. “We have been doing this work since 1996, and we have helped more than 800 families and 1,000 students graduate from school. Our impact is evidenced in stories like Ester’s.”
For more than 15 years, Ms. Dulo and her husband have been a part of the annual Gifts That Give Hope Fair alternative gift fair through their non-profit. They often meet new supporters, and share the story of their Girls Program – the same program that Ester and her family have benefited from.
It can be so challenging to know the true impact we have when we contribute to non-profits. But, the next time you make a donation/purchase a gift at the GTGH Fair… remember Ester’s story.
To purchase a gift to support SAWA, please visit the GTGH Shopping Page!
