By Karen Hornby, BScN, MSc | Maison de la Gare Volunteer from Canada
Every Thanksgiving I have struggled with how to give thanks for all the wonderful things I have been lucky enough to enjoy in my life - my family, my friends, my health, my work and yes, my wealth. This year is different. I have found a way to give back that is meaningful to me. My 16 year old niece and I volunteered at Maison de la Gare working with the talibés of St Louis, Senegal.
Our main objective was to bring medical supplies and to help provide health-care to these boys. We thought this would be a story about hope and despair, health and disease, greed and generosity. We have learned that it is more complicated than that. Because it is hard and complicated, many give up without really trying, some give up after trying, and some never give up trying. We have just started trying to do something about it and we hope to be one of those who never give up trying.
This was an amazing and difficult voyage for the both of us, yet the only time I cried during our visit was the day we had to leave.
For those of you struggling to find a way to give thanks, I encourage you to support Maison de la Gare. If helping the talibés touches you like it has touched us, please consider making a generous donation to Maison de la Gare. It will make the world of difference for these boys.
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