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Tuesday
11Aug2009

Hope Springs from Compassion

"Do want to meet her?" Innocent asked us as we walked the open field high on a hill in Umutara. "She has HIV."

"Of course, yes, please tell her to come." Jen replied.

Margaret Mukakarangwa sat quietly in the sitting room with gentle folded hands. Her eyes soft. A 45-year old mother of five girls. She spoke in her native Kinyarwanda language as our friend Michel translated her story to us. A story that started with the tragic loss of her father and three siblings to the genocide and traversed through her journey as a refugee from Uganda to Rwanda, the loss of her husband to AIDS, the shame thrust upon her life with HIV, the vulnerability of depending on the goodwill of others to obtain food for her family and ended with the hope she finds rooted in her faith.

"What can we do for you?" Jen asked Margaret after she finished her story.

"You can pray for me," she said softly and then she offered us a blessing.

* * *

In support of Fair Content, we made a small monetary contribution to Margaret from our Picture Hope Name Your Dream Assignment fund to honor her audio story we intend to share with you.

Reader Comments (20)

I love how Jen's fingers are gripping Margaret so firmly.
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKizz
It is so sad how much they deal with on a daily basis, their memories alone are haunting.
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterleaca
This - story AND image - brought tears to my eyes... Thank you. xox
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterjag
I can't think of a better use of the Picture Hope / Dream Assignment fund (what a mouth full!). This is the kind of story and use of the monetary award that I was hoping to hear and see. I hope you are sharing hugs from all of us at home. =)

PS I'm at work and trying really hard not to cry!
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterToni | Daily Vignette
Thank you for this beautiful post and photo- I feel so grounded in the relativity of my personal sorrows and joys. I am not a particularly religious person, but I canwillmust pray for Margret. Much love.
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterAlex
there is power in this photo and prayer
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterelk
Thank you...just simply, Thank you
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterLucy
This brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for sharing a bit of her story.
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterElaina
Looking t this photograph, you can feel the compassion. My heart goes out to this mother and she is indeed added to my prayers. As a step-mother of a child who was born with AIDS, I know her fight is not an easy one.
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterPatty Reiser
Wow.
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterrenee @ FIMBY
Such beautiful work you do here and abroad. What a gift of love you gave Margaret and she's given us--thank you for connecting us to this precious life through words and image.
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterShaundra
Thats the best hug i have seen in a while. I can feel the emotion through the picture
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterMelissa
i have no words - we never realize how blessed we are until we share a story such as this
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered Commentercharlane
breathtaking + inspiring
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterHeather
So well written and captured.
August 11, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKatrina Kennedy
Beautiful post. I'm sure that the compassion you have shown is so appreciated.
August 12, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterTracy
this captures beauty and compassion...i love it
August 12, 2009 | Unregistered Commenterjakki
So touching. The astonishing thing is that there are so many stories like hers; we must do what we can to help. Beautiful photo showing two beautiful bright spirits. xo
August 15, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterTara Bradford
so touching~~~
"What can we do for you?" Jen asked Margaret after she finished her story.

"You can pray for me," she said softly and then she offered us a blessing.

'...she offered us a blessing...' How blessed we are because of her.
August 17, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterKelly

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