Some draw satisfaction from heaping and counting bank bills; from hoarding and/or exhibiting property; from building some kind of cult; from wielding and exercising power and influence; from collecting stamps, degrees… The overwhelming majority of us simple mortals are happy just by satisfactorily providing for our family – which is getting less and less obvious. Others derive satisfaction from altruistic thinking and action; from serving people in need; from rescuing those in danger; from looking after the weak and the deprived…
Upon retreat from where I now am (58), I would have found my past a gaping void, a total bore, sheer disappointment, a mere instinctive, reactive, predestined, straight-line voyage to nothingness, had it not been to my participation and albeit minor contributions to the foundation, growth and triumph of HDAMA – and that just by helping create a framework for small contributions like mine to sum up to something ENORMOUS!
It is habitual to blame others for doing none or not enough of demanding or risky business. It is not as habitual to ask: “What is expected of me? What can I do that is in my capacity for the community that brought me up – fed me while it went hungry; protected me while it didn’t have much force; educated me while it was itself in the dark?…” Attempt to answer these questions around/after retirement age. The exercise can be frustrating, even shaming.
I was saved. HDAMA saved me. Call it an historical conjuncture or the work of Providence, but it gave me something to crow about. Thanks to HDAMA, I could pitch in with my meager contributions with those of my brethren and see something great, something glorious, and something formidable emerge! Something that could save the lives of several hundreds of thousands men, women and children!
Yes, I am proud of being part of this miraculously effective and efficient philanthropic non-governmental organization.
Together, we can make a difference!
Getaneh Anteneh HDAMA Board member