A Helping Hand Up
Sometimes, a helping hand at just the right moment can make all the difference in the world. This is the case for so many of the families we work with, and we are always striving to step in with a hand up, instead of creating dependence on Ekisa and our programs. We want to empower families to better the lives of their entire family and give them the tools they need to best care for their children with disabilities.
Last year, for Giving Tuesday 2023, we shared some stories of specific families that needed a helping hand and asked you to give towards specific projects that would greatly improve their lives and allow them to best care for their children. We are so excited to share the incredible life change your donations accomplished over this past year!
A Safe and Sufficient Family Home
Last year, we shared how Isaac’s home, where he stayed with his grandmother and several cousins, was damaged. His living, and especially his sleeping conditions, had become unbearable and unsafe. When you don’t have adequate physical space for daily living or a safe place to get enough sleep at night, every aspect of life becomes more difficult, and we knew we wanted to step in to help Isaac and his family get back on their feet.
Thanks to the generous donations we received for this project, we were able to help build Isaac’s family a new, safe, sturdy, and accessible home. Isaac no longer sleeps in a too-small and cramped shelter with his feet sticking out into the outdoors but now has a spacious and comfortable bedroom inside a new house. With their greatly improved living situation, Isaac’s grandmother is much better able to care for Isaac and the other grandchildren in her care.
Not only did this new housing improve the living conditions of Isaac’s family, but building this improved home also demonstrated to his entire community that Isaac is worthy of care. This project was another way that we were able to declare worth, value, and belonging over a child living with asability. With his basic needs for shelter being met, some ongoing support to help with his medical needs, and the acceptance of his community, Isaac is truly thriving in his family and community.
Support for an Entire Family
We also shared the story of Nancy and her grandmother. After Nancy was resettled with her grandmother in 2018, they developed a strong and beautiful bond. Nancy had been thriving with her grandmother for many years, but unfortunately, her grandmother ran into some difficult times. She struggled to meet the costs of Nancy’s care, especially the often high medical costs. As Nancy’s grandmother grew older, it was also becoming increasingly difficult for her to meet Nancy’s needs with the limited family support they had in the near vicinity. Nancy and her grandmother love each other dearly, and we knew all they needed was an extra hand.
The generous donations we received towards this project allowed us to do more than just apply some band-aid solutions to keep Nancy cared for and healthy but to support the entire family to better care for Nancy for years to come. First, we were able to help Nancy’s father move to the area where she was staying with her grandmother. Due to their strong relationship, Nancy and her grandmother can continue to live together in a small home in the same courtyard as the home that her father, stepmother, and siblings live in. Family nearby allows them to support each other in providing Nancy with the care she needs.
While having family close at hand to help out is wonderful, we also knew that Nancy’s family could use a hand up in helping to meet the cost of her medical care. The donations we received also allowed us to support her family to start up a number of income-generating projects that will empower them to ensure that the whole family can thrive together. We were able to help them purchase pigs to raise and sell, plant a banana grove, and rent and stock a small shop. Thanks to these income streams, Nancy’s family is now in a much better position to meet her needs, allowing her to continue to thrive in her family and community.
We are so thankful for everyone who gave on Giving Tuesday to help empower Isaac and Nancy’s families so they can continue caring for their wonderful children! We are so grateful that their stories are being re-written because of your generosity and partnership!
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