While browsing
through Benevolent’s list of needs a few days ago, Benevolent donor Geetha saw a story that touched her heart
and made her think. It was the story of Macaba, a woman who reminded Geetha of her mother, Mrs. Swami, who
passed away seven years ago.
For the
last fifteen years of her life, Mrs. Swami had suffered blindness which hampered
her otherwise stalwart, delightful, spirited life. When Geetha read Macaba’s
story on the Benevolent site, she was moved to give in dedication to her mom,
honoring her by helping another brave woman struggling against the impact of
unexpected loss of sight.
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| Photos of Mrs. Swami over the years |
On the
surface, the two women – Macaba and Mrs. Swami - have little in common. Macaba
is a young woman; Mrs. Swami lived a long, full life. Macaba is a refugee from
Uganda; Mrs. Swami was from India. Macaba is a student; Mrs. Swami raised eight
children.
What
reminded Geetha of her mother is Macaba’s blindness—and more than that, Macaba’s
attitude of engagement with the world that does not let her disability hold her
back. “The blindness aspect touched my heart,” Geetha told me.
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| Macaba's photo is blurred because she remains in danger from her persecutors from Uganda |
Macaba,
whose story is posted on the Benevolent
site right now, fled persecution and torture in Uganda, leaving everything
she knew including her family behind. Once in the United States, doctors
discovered a tumor pressing on Macaba’s brain, which has since left her with
permanent blindness.
Today, incredibly,
Macaba is on the verge of completing her Associate’s Degree. Her goal is to
continue her education until she is qualified to be a professional counselor.
Her dream is to help others.
Macaba’s need is for a special
laptop, outfitted
with the tools and software that allow her to use it effectively, despite her
blindness. Survivors of Torture International, the San Diego nonprofit working
with Macaba towards her goals, put forward Macaba’s need on the Benevolent site
just last week.
Geetha’s mother, Mrs. Swami,
taught Geetha and her seven siblings about helping those in need. “I have
always believed, and still believe, that we are products of the values
shown and taught by our parents,” Geetha shared.
I am always touched to read the personal reasons
that Benevolent’s supporters have for giving. Geetha’s support of Macaba
crosses generations and continents. By supporting Macaba in honor of her mother, Geetha honors
both women and draws comfort to herself in a way that is both selfless and
fulfilling at once.
We’ve only
been doing this Benevolent work for just over a year, so maybe in five or six
years this won’t surprise me and move me to heartfelt tears as it does today,
but man do I love getting a glimpse like this into what spurs people to give
and what they derive from the act of helping someone else in this simple,
complicated way.
How
incredible that a courageous mother from India should be honored by her
daughter on the East coast of the United States through a gift to help a woman
from Uganda who had fled to safety in Southern California. I find myself deeply
touched by this inter-continental honoring of strong women.
Last week we celebrated International Women’s
Day. Is there a strong woman in your life whom you’d like to honor? You never
know what will move you to give.
- megan kashner, founder & ceo
Benevolent
