Dear All,
Welcome to Gasha, the official
newsletter of Madiba Children’s Outreach. Here, you will find not
only news and updates regarding the organization, but also
backgrounds on our sponsored students, articles regarding the
humanitarian situation in Ethiopia and around the world, and other
information that we feel a well-informed philanthropist should know.
When choosing the name of this
newsletter, MCO President Bryan Dyer and I, immediately and
independently of each other, thought of Umkhonto we Sizwe (Spear of
the Nation), the name of Nelson Mandela’s organization working
against apartheid. And so, for a time, this newsletter was
tentatively referred to as Umkhonto. Later on, we remembered that
while spears are symbols of strength in the South African region, the
symbol of strength in Ethiopia is a shield. And so, with the guidance
of Bryan’s wife, Tigist, we decided on the name Gasha, from the
Amharic word for “shield.”
With further consideration, I find the
name much more apt, for if there is one thing a charity is to do, it
is to protect those that lack the resources to protect themselves. At
both MCO and Gasha, we have many goals, but the unspoken one that I
find is most important is this: “To protect.”
At Gasha, we understand that if you’re
receiving this newsletter, you’ve already given to MCO or you’re
a supporter of MCO. Either way, we don’t need to tell you that
children in Ethiopia need help or ask you for any more than what
you’ve already given. Instead, our goal is to first and foremost,
keep you abreast of the activities MCO is involved in and the
progress we’re making. Sponsors and supporters like you are, after
all, the reason MCO can even exist. We do not take your assistance
lightly and so, we have a responsibility to keep you knowledgeable
regarding MCO’s affairs. We also hope, with the use of our
articles, to help everyone become an active member in this community,
a more informed, more powerful donor, and a more conscious citizen of
the world.
And so, with the utmost gratitude,
welcome to MCO and welcome to Gasha. We hope to make you proud.
Kevin Warzala
July, 2012
Kus be kus, inkulal begur yihedal. Amharic proverb meaning, "slowly, and egg will learn to walk".
ReplyDeletegood job Kevin, together we can make a difference. keep the good work going.
ReplyDelete