i tell you this exercise tore me apart. the girls explained how difficult it was for them, more than one asking 'is it ok if i have no one?' ai ai ai... the majority of circles were just filled with mine and other lua nova staff's names.
at the very last session for this week we had a chef come in and speak with the girls. he grew up like them: on the streets, heavily involved in drug gangs, family nonexistent and abusive... but now he is a successful chef in sorocaba. at the end of his speech he told the girls so frankly: i do believe in you - you really can get out of these traps of drugs and homelessness and abuse. you really can make a new life for yourselves.
the girls were reduced to tears (which is saying a lot - they often hide behind a super tough attitude)... one of them came up and said to him afterward 'no one believes in me except lua nova. and now you.'
aaaah it just tore me apart, truly! there is so much at stake here: not only the lives of the girls but also those of their children. and the enemies are so huge, the friends so few...
i say all this because for a group of girls who have received so little love, attention, or care in this world, this:
is HUGE. this pile of goodness is all of the donations poured in from dozens of wonderful women in response to a call on my sister's blog for help for lua nova's girls. we received over 60 scrapbooks, each so carefully and beautifully made... gorgeous baby blankets, precious baby booties and burp cloths... baby clothes, art supplies, notebooks, you name it. when i flew back to brazil after Christmas i had with me over 100 pounds of luggage, solely comprised of gifts for the girls.
becuase we are in the middle of this 3-week training course, i haven't given any of the gifts yet: i am going to use them within my therapy and group sessions, which won't start again for another few weeks. but, i did show one of the scrapbooks to the staff at lua nova and they were floored. 'all made by hand?' 'one for EACH girl?!' 'and these women did this just because they wanted to help?'
so really, thak you thank you. i (and everyone at lua nova!) am so amazed at this generosity. i can't think of the time it took to complete each of these scrapbooks, blankets, booties etc... it is wonderful me the empathy of others! thank you thank you again. you are all true and beautiful friends to a group of girls who have so few people to count on in this world.
beijos and abracos to you all,
julianne.
7 comments:
What a great post! Brought tears to my eyes and gratitude to my heart for the plan of salvation! There is so much more - as a friend recently said to me "this is not our true home" You are doing a great work!
Joojie ths is so wonderful and it shows the generosity of people when there is something that needs their help. Stephanie did such a geat job on her blog explaining to readers what was needed and how it will help these girls. I know you are helping each and every one of them and it is so sad that they feel no one cared for them except lua nova. So glad that you can show how much you care and hopefully this will encourage them to feel better about themselves. You are indeed a treasure and they will always remember you and how much you care.
I loved this post Jooj.
It reminded me of this: "..By small and simple things are great things brought to pass..."
beautiful, jooj. i'm so glad you gave me the chance to help. love you. and those girls.
Thank you so much for the wonderful work you are doing and for giving the opportunity for us to participate in a small way.
The YW in my ward made some of those scrapbooks and I can't wait to read them this post on Wednesday at mutual. They were so excited to help and I know they will love to hear this.
Rock on!
everything looks so pretty! i am sure the girls will love it all. you are wonderful! thanks again for your hard work. you are my hero!
yay - you will keep us posted as to what more we can do, right? it's so fulfilling to create for others who need/appreciate!
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