The Beginning..
Why did I need to go so far away to Africa to help others, when there were people in need closer to me?
This is a question for which I only have one answer: “one proposes, and God disposes”
After I retired in 2015, I became very active as a volunteer with local communities. I worked with children, adults and with the sick at Mount Sinai Hospital in Miami Beach. However, during the previous 30 years, my career was international, always traveling to different countries and cultures. At one point I felt that something was missing, I guess I missed the contact with different cultures as I had before. I felt the need to go abroad as a volunteer. My objective was Central America. I spent several days searching for the right NGO to travel with, when International Medical Relief (IMR) caught my attention. The only problem was that their first trip available was to Malawi in the south east side of Africa. With zero knowledge of the country and not knowing other travelers, I decided to apply.
The experience in Malawi was impactful, hard and sweet at the same time. Being exposed to people lacking the basics was very hard, but at the same time, these people were joyful, happy to see us, very welcoming, appreciative of what we gave them, very humble. So much need made me appreciate even more what I have received in life. Some of the people looking for medical attention, walked 20-30 miles each way to see a doctor, with several children and no food or water. After the first trip, I went back one more time to distribute 3000 pairs of shoes that we purchased directly from China. The children were very happy, we made them feel loved. This experience exhilarated my desire to work with the most needed in Africa.
It was during the second trip that the head of HELP International invited me to go to Uganda. Little did I know that Uganda was going to transform my life forever.
I felt in love with Uganda and its people. I don’t know how to express but I felt a big desire to stay there. I travelled in multiple occasions to Uganda during the next 3 years. Many times, all by myself for longer periods of time. I worked with women and children in the village of Masese, next to Jinja, 3 hours drive from Kampala the capital.
One day in early 2018, I was visiting a refuge for children of all ages, located in a of one of the poorest areas near Masese. The structure had 2 small rooms only, cramped with about 33 children in total. No water, no power, no kitchen, no bathroom. It was that day in front of the refuge, when I received His calling to work with abandoned and abused children. The calling was very clear! My answer was: “Lord, if you want me here, you would need to open doors for me because I don’t have the knowledge, the experience, the funds or even the age to start off your mission”
I am convinced now that St. Joseph’s Shining Little Stars, a transition home for abused, abandoned or neglected children under 6 years old, is His mission. Those of us who work or who have become donors, are only His servants. It was there in Uganda, 34 hours door-to door trip, where He wanted me to stay instead of closer to where I live. This is the reason why I am serving in Uganda, rather than in any other country.
We had a very rocky start because the culture, the bureaucracy in government agencies were very challenging. I was frustrated and asking myself if I should forget about it and continue my life as it was before. One day, someone said to me “Morella, when the Lord asked you to do this, He never told you it was going to be easy, find the way”. That was it! With prayers and the help of many people, our transition home opened in January 2019 and few weeks later our first child arrived. We have had many hiccups here and there, but our commitment is stronger than ever because we know this is His mission and not mine. He guides us and He sends donors to support His mission.
If you feel moved to change the lives of deserving children, please visit our website for ideas about how to become part of His mission.
Blessings,
-Morella
Stjosephshininglittlestars.com
