Heroes Come in All Kinds of Packages |

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Heroes Come in All Kinds of Packages

By Jillian Wheeler | February 19, 2008

A few years ago a nun living in Rome took my Grants Training Class. Her name is Sister Mary Elizabeth Lloyd, and one of her jobs is finding grants for the projects undertaken by her order, the Sisters of St. Filippini. They work in the poorest areas of the world, providing education, healthcare, and nutrition to vulnerable women and children.

Sr. MaryBeth and I became email friends, and eventually met in person. We found we had a lot in common. We both went to Catholic schools, we’re close in age and we share a similar sense of humor.

She grew up in New Jersey, and she likes to say her claim to fame is that she used to ride the school bus with Bruce Springsteen.

Now, I’m a big fan of the The Boss, and to many people, he’s a heroic figure. But to me, Sr. MaryBeth, and the other sisters working with her, are the real heroes.

When I was a kid, I often dreamed of becoming a Maryknoll nun and working with poor people in other countries. Then I discovered being a nun involved taking vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. Poverty was negotiable, but I knew I wanted my own children, and I’ve never been good at obedience (as several now elderly Sisters of Divine Providence will be happy to attest). So I found my own path, and other ways to be useful in the world.

Fortunately, there are people like Sr. MaryBeth, who find their joy and fulfillment in total dedication to God through serving the most needy among us. In addition to her grant writing, she is also a nutritionist who travels around the world doing nutritional assessments of poor children, and making recommendations for their health. She works a lot with her sisters in Eritrea and Ethopia, two of the poorest countries in Africa.

In these two countries, most of their work involves caring for children whose parents have died of AIDS. These children often live alone in what have come to be known as Child Headed Households. Because of the laws in these two Islamic countries, the nuns cannot open orphanages. So instead they help the children rent little rooms where they live with their siblings. They provide them with food and love and encouragement. They educate them, and help them start small businesses to generate income.

Recently Sr. MaryBeth wrote a book about the Child Headed Households of Africa. It’s called Aids Orphans Rising.

Remarkably, it’s not a tragic book. Instead, it’s a testament to the resiliency and courage of these children. Like children everywhere, they live in the moment. They play and learn and get the most fun possible out of life. They know the obstacles that face them, but they are determined to make good lives for themselves and their siblings as they grow into adulthood.

The book is also filled with fascinating information about the lives of these children, and all the ways we can help them grow up successful, healthy and happy. I’ve read every draft of the book, and I absolutely love it. I hope you’ll buy a copy for yourself, and some extra copies for your family and friends.

Every penny raised through sales of the book goes directly to the children. And if you buy now, you can also access a whole variety of bonuses offered by the Internet marketing community. You can check them out at:

www.aidsorphansrising.org/bonuses.html

With 25 million children affected – virtually an entire generation – the continent of Africa is at stake. When these children grow up, who will they be? Our actions can help ensure many of them will be educated, healthy, emotionally secure and capable of supporting themselves. We can truly make a difference. Buy the book and learn how:

www.aidsorphansrising.org/bonuses.html

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