Helped Someone Lately?

Yesterday, the world celebrated ten years of World Humanitarian Day.  It is a day set aside to recognise those who face danger and adversity in order to help others. It was designated by the General Assembly to coincide with the anniversary of 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq.

 This bring me to my question, when did you last help someone?

Before you tell me how busy you have been or how the world is facing an economic crisis, I request you just hear me out.

By someone here I mean a complete stranger or someone who is not in your own circle of friends and family. I have come to the realization that you don’t have to be a Mother Teresa or the next Bill Gates to help someone out. You can be yourself and still make a difference.

As I write this article I am reminded of my dear mother who taught us this priceless lesson just way she has lived her life. We grew up in the slopes of Nyambene hills, central part of Kenya, in a small town called Meru. This little town has made it to the headlines of this country for various reasons such as it popular growth of a certain plant called Miraa (Khat) and also its great rich culture heritage of the Ameru Traditions practices such as circumcision

Back to my story, when we moved to Meru quite a while back my mother met a certain old lady in the market. I don’t quite know how they met but as the story goes my mother’s heart was touched by this old stranger. Maybe it was because this old lady was so old at that time that the thought that she had to compete with other young ladies in the market to sell her vegetables was quite absurd to my mother. Maybe it was also because that this old lady had no living family and lived all alone.

old toothless woman

Mother decided to bring her home that day and she introduced us to Gacheri that’s her name). For the next couple of months Gacheri would always come home and we would bless her with food and some clothes. She in return would help out in my mother’s kitchen garden and her flower garden. 

I smile as I remember Gacheri’s toothless grin and also the fact that she insisted on teaching us Meru Traditional songs. I must confess that at that time my sister and I were not as fond of Gacheri as our mother. Sometimes we felt she was more of a bother than a blessing. I remember joking once that we already had a granny and to add another was insane (I was 10 years old). To my shock and horror I received such a heavy beating from mother that day that every time I think of it I wince out in pain.

“Joy I want to you to understand that you should always help those around you. You may never know, they in return will take care of your children when you are gone (dead)”, my mother told me.

My attitude changed that very day and I started treating Gacheri with more respect and love. I was always the first to open the door every time she came home and I would faithfully pour her a glass of water. It was during this time that I understood what my mother had seen in Gacheri…..a human being just like me.The Scriptures constantly emphasizes on our role to help out those in need around us. 

Hebrews 13: 16 states that ‘ we should not neglect to do good and to share what we have for such sacrifices are pleasing to God’. (Emphasis mine)

I can’t recall what exactly happened to Gacheri since I moved away but what I know is that having her around was one of the best moments of growing up.

There is always a blessing and joy when you help people around you. Helping out doesn't require a big fat cheque but what is in your hands and heart. 

So look around you now………is there someone you can help today?