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The $2000 Eggplant – Stories From My Journey to Uganda

A few weeks ago, I traveled to Uganda with 6 other entrepreneurs on a “donor tour” with the Just Like My Child Foundation. It was a beautiful experience where we got to see exactly what our donations had been used for… and what I really love is that this Foundation empowers those they help.

We visited some families who’ve been directly affected by HIV. They are given 2 goats, sometimes chickens and supplies to start a vegetable garden. The whole point is to educate and train them to become self-sufficient.

Namubiru

The first family we visited was a woman named Namubiru. Her son and daughter-in-law had died of AIDS, she was raising 5 grandchildren alone. She showed us her goats – proudly showing one that is pregnant! We also saw her home. four walls, a dirt floor and a few pieces of tin haphazardly arranged on the roof – basically, they sleep under the stars with little protection. They obviously had VERY little. The children were all dressed in huge clothing – hand-me-downs from their deceased parents.

As the tiny tour continued, we came to Namubiru’s garden. There were 3 small eggplants. I love eggplant and wanted to express my appreciation for her growing garden and pointed at the eggplant and then kissed my 5 fingertips (Italian-style) saying “Wow, that’s great!”

Namubiru immediately bent over and picked the best eggplant and gave it to me.

Namubiru & her eggplant garden

Here was this woman very little, yet with amazing generosity. I had to bite my lip to stop the tears (the Foundation creator, Vivian, let me know it might hurt Namubiru’s feelings if I cried) I just felt so overwhelmed with love and appreciation for her gesture.

Givers Get

Vivian and I came up with a plan for me to help them get a new roof!They are finding someone to give a proposal and I’ll help make it happen. Estimates are that it will be around $2,000. It makes me so happy to be able to help this amazing woman and her grandchildren! And it just feels so GOOD to be able to make a direct impact on a family in need.

(Check out the roof in the photo above! You can see the sky…)

On the last day of our journey in Uganda, I left about 1/2 of the clothes from my suitcase for her and instead of souvenirs, I bought some t-shirts for the kids.

Here’s some pictures of when Namubiru tried on some of the clothes I left for her.

Namubiru tries on her new clothes

Namubiru and her grandchildren in Uganda

I can’t tell you how GOOD this all made me feel!

I still get joy-teary about it!

And, it’s made me more committed to doing more good in the world… especially with organizations like the Just Like My Child Foundation.

Being able to do things like this is one of the BIG gifts of being an entrepreneur!

Posted in Dreams to Reality, Entrepreneurship, Inspiration, Inspired Success, Just for Fun, Self Empowerment

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7 Comments

Maritza Parra on July 2, 2013 at 4:23 pm

I can’t wait to post pictures of their new roof when that happens!

Reply
Rita on July 2, 2013 at 4:34 pm

What a beautiful story. I agree with you. One of the best things about being successful is being able to make a difference in someone’s life.

Reply
- Maritza Parra on July 2, 2013 at 8:19 pm
  
  Rita, so true!
  
  Reply
Cheryl Pickett on July 2, 2013 at 6:57 pm

Beautiful. All of it. Thank you for sharing with us. I can’t wait to be in a place in my business where I can do things like this too.

Reply
- Maritza Parra on July 2, 2013 at 8:20 pm
  
  Thank you, Cheryl! That’s a fantastic goal to put on your “Entrepreneurial vision board” or something, right?
  
  Reply
Grazina on July 3, 2013 at 1:52 am

Rita and Cheryl, I found that we all can do things like this, even if it’s on a smaller scale. Random acts of kindness, like adding 20 cents to someone’s parkometer that’s about to expire, or lending $50 to someone in Nicaragua or Senegal via http://www.kiva.org/ so they can start a business feels good, too.

Would you agree?

Maritza, you’re an inspiration. And a gorgeous one :o)

Reply
- Maritza Parra on July 11, 2013 at 2:23 pm
  
  Grazina, I love your suggestions!! And yes, I’ve found that all things help… I had a neighbor several years ago who was home-bound and I’d take one o my dogs to visit him (and usually bring brownies) and once I took one o my horses and did a mini-horse show in his front yard. He was happy, but I’m sure not as happy as it made me to see the smile on his face.
  
  And Thank You for your kind words – I so appreciate you! <3 Maritza
  
  Reply