At times, it is easy to feel helpless and hopeless, but facing this writing challenge I’ve discovered that sometimes hope is there just waiting to be claimed. Now I understand that my hope lies in this sincere and deceptively simple motto and:
I encounter hope for the children when I read that supplying a school meal means that parents send their child to school – rather than out to work or to beg for food – and that the meal ensures children have enough energy to concentrate in lessons as well as have fun and play.
I encounter hope for families when I find out that mums and dads, grandparents and other community members volunteer to make and serve the food and that these families now have hope for their child’s future.
I encounter hope for neighbourhoods when I learn that volunteering build bonds amongst the adults which transcend racial and ethnic boundaries and promotes understanding whilst demonstrating working together.
I encounter hope for communities when I hear that communities in the 17 countries where Mary’s Meals works – who all own and run their programmes – continue to do so even in the face of adversity caused by poverty, humanitarian crises, climate change and systemic problems with their governments or international trade.
I encounter hope for the future when I discover that the children value their education enough to walk miles to school and appreciate the food they receive and that they relish the opportunity to learn and aspire to a wide range of careers, whilst communities hope that education will also lead to empowerment and positive contributions to their country.
I encounter hope here at home when I meet so many generous people prepared to give up their time and/or money to fundraise in creative and inventive ways to provide hope for children – and their parents.
Thank you Mary’s Meals* for this practical, evidence based hope that reminds me that every small act of kindness helps – even my little bit. Knowing this recharges my hope regularly, motivates me, sustains my belief in the ability of this simple idea. sustains the dreams of those who don’t want to see any child out of school and without hope, and sustains over two million children every school day in their place of education.
Thank you Scottish Book Trust for inspiring me to explore this source of hope: it was reading a book that started this whole journey many years ago – what is better than a book to motivate and a writing opportunity to encourage reflection?
*Mary’s Meals is an international charity based in Dalmally, which provides a meal for over two million children daily in their place of learning. It costs 10p per meal and only £19.15 to feed a child for a whole school year.