The Gift Which Keeps On Giving

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They’re the BEST kind.  

The gifts that go beyond the expiry date. 

The kind that cyclically provide. 

The ones that you remember far beyond the initial receipt.  

Those that, in some way, continue to show up just when you need them.

We have spent two Christmas seasons here in Ethiopia now and have come to terms with the fact that here the “season” as we know it, doesn’t exist.  On December 25, life goes on here.  We have to TELL OR REMIND people that it’s our Christmas time and are often mocked for that fact that our Christmas season lasts a couple of months, where here it lasts a couple of days. 

While part of me misses the Christmas season and festivities, I am already readying myself for what I am about to be smashed in the face with when I return to the Western world- Fanatical consumerism!  Like extreme terrorist attacks, insurgences take place on our bank accounts where everything explodes and one day later, the mess has to be cleaned up.  Then for months, the debts have to be paid.

Am I wrong? I don’t know.  Maybe things have changed in the last two years.  I remember consumer spending around Christmas had slowed during the financial crisis.  Maybe it’s remained the same. *sigh

Anyway what this whole experience has taught us is that there are things and days and gifts in life that matter and some that, well, don’t matter so much.  There used to be an advertising campaign by the Warehouse in New Zealand (a big red warehouse that is equivalent to maybe Kmart or Target for all those non-Kiwi’s reading my blog.)  It would always say, “The greatest thing you can give your children is TIME!”  This is SO true. 

Time is one love language that almost encapsulates all others. It takes time to deliver LOVE.

Last Christmas we were given a gift that helped us to give this gift of time to our children.  Actually, the gift was financial and it was at our discretion about how we would spend it.  It was right around the amount we needed to get an annuu membership at a local resort.  One of the nicest in Ethiopia and it resides in our town.  It included a free nights accommodation for our whole family in the Presidential suite, free access to the resort which you normally have to pay a lot for, then free access to the swimming pool, kayaks, WiFi, gym, Pool table and discounts on the Spa Treatments. 

Asaua and Matthias at Kuriftu for Matthias' birthday breakfast

All year round we have had the enjoyment of this resort.  It was our get away when we needed our space.  It was our good internet access portal that we could use.  It is our family retreat where TIME with the kids is inevitable.  It was our place to hang out and have cheap buffet breakfasts. And of late, our destination for Saturday morning walks where we could get our weekly hot shower. This is our gift that keeps on giving.  I am thankful every time I walk into that place for my Aunty and Uncle who gave us money last Christmas for this pleasure.  We have used it beyond the price that was paid.

Again this Christmas, some other people are wanting to give us a gift.  It is a gift they are willing to pay a price for- THEY want to give us $5000 but they are rallying around their friends and family to help them put together this money.  Their names are Aysha and Emilou and the gift they give is one of a kind.  Maybe in the future more appeals like this will happen but this is the first of it’s kind on such a large scale.  And the price that they are willing to pay goes far beyond what we could have ever imagined.  Both of these beautiful girls are willing to sacrifice their HAIR!! 

Long, beautiful, wavy, shiny hair.  The kind that won’t happen over night, but WILL happen. 

And as they give their hair, people are giving their money.

And as people give their money, we can give children scholarships and women rehabilitation from commercial street work.

And as more women are rehabilitated from prostitution, more mothers become available to look after orphaned children.

And as more orphaned children are cared for in Ethiopia and raised as leaders, the stronger society becomes for the next generation.

The stronger society becomes if the 3 million orphans are looked after and raised in healthy environments (not that we aim to target them all…but let’s just SAY!), the less dependency will exist, the crime rates will go down, there will be less slavery that will damage peoples’ potential, less corruption will exist in government, the more the country will thrive!!  Huh, and the gift just keeps on giving!!

But before you jump to conclusions and assume that I am crazy for even BEING so AMBITIOUS!  I have a little piece of information I want to share.

The thing is that if all of this were a result of giving, then actually the greatest recipients are not the communities or societies out there, but the communities of givers themselves.  And if You respond, then this is the proof of the benefits that belong to YOU.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Jesus Christ

I read this the other day in a NZ NEXT magazine published last year. 

"Giving and receiving is the flow of life.  The brain registers the act of giving as a primary human function and you will thrive when you give!! [Emphasis added]

A medical research centre in the US set up support groups for people suffering from MS (Multiple Sclerosis).  The group leaders were people who had suffered MS for many years.  While there was marked improvement in those attending the group to be supported, the most remarkable improvement was in that of the person helping the group.  As a result of these findings, further studies were conducted to measure brain activity while engaging in giving and philanthropic acts.  The results again were two-fold.  Well-known feel-good chemicals were released in the brains as a result of giving.  Furthermore the brain area activated was that which satisfies our basic needs; food, ses and emotional security.  So it would be fair to say the act of giving is as fundamental as our need for food, water and procreation."

SO

It is fair to say, that you NEED to GIVE.  And Yes, I know that everyone has someone to give to and there are always people in need needing your money- a few million in the Phillipines right now.  But you can never give to much. 

So what I suggest you do is donate now. 

Here are the bank details for the Bald and Beautiful campaign.  They have nine days left.  Nine is my favourite number.  Will you just give even $9, or $99 or even $999 :)

38 9003 0792278 01
Kiwibank