100 ABSTRACTS - NUMBER 49

We had a great time sitting in the garden yesterday - and before anyone asks, this photograph was taken today and not yesterday!  

We sat in our reclining chairs in the beautiful sunshine, playing the sounds from an app I have called Ocean Waves, which is the sound of waves breaking on the shore.  With our eyes closed, the sun beating down on us and the sound of the waves, we could have been at the coast and we had had none of the angst of getting there!  It was bliss.

However, there was also a mystery attached to the afternoon.  After having his second cataract operation, you may remember that I bought Mr. HCB a pair of reading glasses and a pair of sunglasses, as neither of his prescription ones were suitable.  His sunglasses were on the table when we had our lunch in the garden, but when we went back indoors later, we realised they were missing.  

We searched the house, the garage, the paper recycling bin, the rubbish bin and our neighbours, Lynn and Mike, helped us look all around the garden just in case they had been picked up by a magpie and then dropped.  When I spoke to Sister Veronica, a Blip friend, in the evening, she even said she would say a prayer to Saint Anthony, the Patron Saint of Lost Things.  

However, still no joy, so this morning, I went over to Boots and bought him another pair - but fortunately, one of the assistants gave me a voucher to get a pair for half price, provided they cost over £35 - so he is now the proud owner of a pair of O’Neill sunglasses and very smart they look too!

This shot was taken using my KaleidaCam app and if you look carefully, you can see Mr. HCB wearing his new “sunnies” - at the time I took this, he was telling me my time was up and if I didn’t hurry, he would have to start charging premium rates!

This is number 49 of my 100 Abstracts Challenge for the Mamie Martin Fund, which supports young women and girls in North Malawi, to enable them to obtain a secondary education when family finances are very tough or even non-existent.

CHOTSANI - came from a poor family background and her mother struggled to find her school fees, but with the help of the Mamie Martin fund she was able to complete her secondary education.   She says that she could never find enough words to convey how grateful she is to the Fund, which gave her a reason to work hard and smile, knowing that she could accomplish her goals without having to leave school because the fees weren’t paid.

Chotsani then went on to the University of Malawi and studied for a Degree in Media for Development and achieved this with credit.  There is a photograph of her on her Graduation Day in as an extra. Because of the support she received, it inspired her to give back to her community by supporting other under-privileged girls with their various challenges.  She has mentored other girls from her village in order to prepare them for their career aspirations. 

She is hoping to study for her Masters Degree in the UK to advance her studies in development issues so that she can then help people in Malawi make better life choices and while she is waiting for this to happen, she wants to volunteer with the Mamie Martin Fund, which has so inspired her.  

It is wonderful to hear that most of these girls don’t just forget about the Fund once they have achieved their goals, but they want to help others - and be good role models.

“Each person must live their life 
     as a role model for others.” 
Rosa Parks

If you want to make a difference to the lives of young women like Chotsani and the others I have mentioned recently, please look at my JustGiving page: 

https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MaureenIles