Education: A Powerful Generative Solution

You may remember Bella, the WAVE leader of Hope Uganda, who helped women there gather to a safe place to learn sewing skills to provide for their families. Bella is also a devoted mother, daughter, sister, and aunt. As school began last year, her niece, Desire Patience, was struggling mightily. She had a goal to attend nursing school, but did not have the required funds. Her mom secured a loan, Bella donated what she could, and secured donors to help Desire begin her training. 

After the first term, her scores were high and so was her hope for a better future. She began the second term, but was sent home due to her inability to pay tuition. She was devastated. Her mom cares for her grandmother and another child with special needs. Then, an answer from heaven arrived. An advertisement stated the government would interview students such as Desire for possible scholarships. Bella knew Desire’s grades were good enough to qualify. Again, she stretched her own resources knowing education is a generative, or lasting and forward-looking solution.

With this help in place, Desire traveled to the interview site, and was shortlisted, which means she is guaranteed financial help based on her achievements and interview. A young woman who had been without hope and even a desire to live is now thriving as she completes the first of three years of nursing school. 

We spoke in our February Virtual WAVE Meeting of an old adage: “Give a person a fish and you feed her for a day; teach a person to fish and you feed her for a lifetime.” Education is a proven way to help others “learn to fish” so they can feed themselves, as well as others, for a lifetime. Several of our WAVEs have created literacy centers or have plans to do so. 

Literacy, sewing skills, nursing school, raising pigs, and making jewelry. These are all examples of generative solutions helping women learn, grow, stretch, and improve their lives and the generations yet to come. What can you do to share your bounty and skills to be part of such a solution?