Yesterday I wrote about how one person can make a difference and I also indicated that we have it pretty good here, and that this can often lead to complacency -- perhaps not totally ignoring what is happening in the rest of the world, but having the "tsk, tsk, isn't that awful" commentary (read yesterday's blog by clicking here).
The reality of that came full circle to me today, when I went to get my mail. I sponsor a 12 year old girl in India, through World Vision Canada. I started this about 15 months ago, when I was walking by a display for World Vision in a mall, and was struck by the story told in the eyes staring out from the picture of this little girl. Her name is Jodwinder.
I have sent her some small gifts, including pencil crayons and paper. She and her family have sent me a couple of letters. Her drawing and writing of today, pictured here, has left me pondering the reality of a girl child in India, vs. the joy and freedom our girls grow up with.
Written on the colourful house that Jodwinder drew, were a few words, in the native language. The translation?
"Don't kill girl child. Love your daughter
as your son"
Wow, what do you say to that? It shows the barriers and dangers that face young women in other areas of the world. By now we are all aware through recently publicized incidents in India, that rape was more or less tolerated. Also that women often try to determine the gender of a fetus, and if its a girl then it may not be brought to term.
India is not the only country in the world where women, both young and old, suffer from discriminatory practices, but it is the one that today, with the receipt of this beautiful drawing and the ominous message hit home in a way that hearing about atrocities in the news hadn't. I guess I feel a certain responsibility for this little girl and am saddened by her reality.
I know by sponsoring Jodwinder, I have made a difference in her life, but is it enough? I'm not sure of that anymore.
No comments:
Post a Comment