The other night I had the great pleasure of listening to a speech by Thomas Awiapo of Catholic Relief Services, Ghana.
Thomas was orphaned at a young age, and he and his three siblings were constantly hungry. Two died while he was young. Thomas might have, also, if he hadn't learned that a nearby Catholic school offered food to children who attended. Though he wasn't much interested in school, he decided that the food was worth a ten-mile walk each day. Over time, he got more and more interested in learning and eventually earned a Master's Degree. Today he works for CRS Ghana in Tamale. He says he will never forget the sadness and struggle of his childhood, the holes in his life. But he is full of gratitude.
Thomas's main message was to say "thank you" to the people who donate to CRS. A lot of international charity is very abstract. Being in the presence of this remarkable man, who may well have died of hunger and certainly would have struggled to make a living without the charity of strangers, put flesh and bone on the consequences of our generosity.
Thomas was orphaned at a young age, and he and his three siblings were constantly hungry. Two died while he was young. Thomas might have, also, if he hadn't learned that a nearby Catholic school offered food to children who attended. Though he wasn't much interested in school, he decided that the food was worth a ten-mile walk each day. Over time, he got more and more interested in learning and eventually earned a Master's Degree. Today he works for CRS Ghana in Tamale. He says he will never forget the sadness and struggle of his childhood, the holes in his life. But he is full of gratitude.
Thomas's main message was to say "thank you" to the people who donate to CRS. A lot of international charity is very abstract. Being in the presence of this remarkable man, who may well have died of hunger and certainly would have struggled to make a living without the charity of strangers, put flesh and bone on the consequences of our generosity.
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