...why things happen...

Why do certain things happen??? I was reading the holiday issue of Oprah magazine. Came across a page with a photo of a guy(named Barton Brooks) standing in a group of African kids...instantly got my attention. The article was about a guy who left his big job and now travels around the world helping others. Closed the magazine...immediately went on his website. One of the places he had gone to help was Ethiopia. He learned of the fuelwood carriers and their situation. I had brought back photos of these girls when we were there as well.

They get up at 3 am to gather wood in the forests. They then strap up to 75 lbs of wood against their back and walk all day-up to 18 miles-to sell the wood at market for $2 in oreder to feed their families. Many of these women are young girls as young as 9 or 10. They need to help feed their families and so need to carry wood instead of going to school. Barton and a friend spent the day carring wood along side them to better understand their life. This was difficult for 2 big grown men, let alone small kids whose wood loads are sometimes close to their own body weight. These girls end up with stunted growth and physical problems as a result of years of carrying wood at such young ages.

What he learned is that we can not change the situation but we can make it better. He wants to have packs made to help them carry the wood in a more comfortable, supported way. Right now the wood is against their backs cutting into them and held on with wood straps that cut as well. Next he wanted to get them some sort of MP3 player/ipod that could have educational material on it so the girls are learning while they walk since they cannot go to school.

Do you know anyone who can help with this?? If not can you help us fund it? I am already at work trying to come up with a back pack design to help carry the wood and am trying to find someone who can produce it...let's all put our heads together and help these young girls!!

email me @ lizjonas@cox.net