Shop by Topic
Shop by Product
ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues
<< Previous Issue
| View Past Issues | | Next Issue >> 
Salute to Grandmothers
March 20, 2013
You already possess everything necessary to become great.
-American Indian proverb
-American Indian proverb
In honor of International Women's Day (March 8), Lati Makara Lets'ela, the World Forum's National Representative from Lesotho, offered this story:
Everyday I hurriedly drive to work.
Everyday I pass through a village.
And everyday I see this lovely 2-year-old little girl wearing her neat school uniform.
One day I slowed down and greeted her with a smile, she smiled back.
Her grandmother smiled back and accepted a greeting on her behalf.
Now I don't change [my] route to work; I use the same one.
Everyday I see this young girl I slow down, open the window, and greet her with a smile; she smiles back.
And the Granny smiles and accepts the greeting on her behalf.
This morning, I met these two again; I slowed down, opened the window, and greeted with a smile.
The little girl stopped, smiled showing her little white teeth, waived her left hand, and accepted my greeting.
Her grandmother cried through her smile.
I parked the car off the road to find out what I did wrong.
She said to me in Sesotho " Ngoana'ka, ke maketse hore ngoana enoa oa ngoana'ka o tseba ho bua! Haesale 'M'ae a hlokahala, ha a so bue!"
(Translated: "My child, I am amazed to see my grandchild talking! Since her mother's death, she has not spoken again.")
They both touched my heart.... I then advised that the child be referred to a psychotherapist and I provided other pieces of advice...
Let's celebrate women's efforts in making the world a better place for young children. This one child is among thousands who have lost mothers for various reasons in Lesotho, and among millions in the whole world. Please remember grandmothers who are forced by circumstances to take care of their grandchildren. Pray for their renewed strength so that they are able to take care of young children we all so care about, like this grandmother who takes her grandchild by the hand to school, while holding a walking stick by the other hand to assist herself to walk....
World Forum 2014 Registration About to Open
2014 World Forum on Early Care and Education
San Juan, Puerto Rico
May 6 - 9, 2014
When registrations open in a few weeks, the event will sell out quickly. To be sure you don't miss your chance to register, you should sign up for an early notification.
ExchangeEveryDay
Delivered five days a week containing news, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
What is ExchangeEveryDay?
ExchangeEveryDay is the official electronic newsletter for Exchange Press. It is delivered five days a week containing news stories, success stories, solutions, trend reports, and much more.
Comments (6)
Displaying All 6 CommentsBISD
Beaumont, Texas, United States
Wonderful article. Grandparents do so much for children and some adults as well. Just a hug from a grandparent changes the world of a child.
Self-employed
Harlingen, TX, United States
What a touching story; there are so many grandparents and extending family members raising children. May they reach out to the greater community to get needed support to raise yet another generation.
I would like to be able to post this or other articles on facebook of LinkedIn. Is that possible.
Thank you,
Tanene Kurtenbach MA
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, Ne Mexico, United States
I am a grandmother helping my daughter raise her child. While reading this article, tears rolled down my face feeling the sorrow of the little girl missing her mother. My grandchild misses her Dad and sometimes both of us cry together. I can relate to the grandmother and my positive thoughts go to her and I pray to God to keep giving her more strength!
And thank you for helping those who need assistance!
Alida D. Larrichio
United States
Lati's story speaks to so many areas of good practice and the importance of being involved in our communities.
I am reminded of the importance of presenting a pleasant accepting presence and not expecting immediate response or change in the environment. We all have an unknown power to elicit change as her story dramatically demonstrates.
Thank you for providing such a powerful story.
Central VA Community College
Bedford, Virginia, United States
Thank you Lati Makara Lets'ela for sharing an important reminder for all of us to watch for opportunities to make a connection with the precious children we see everyday. This granny is humbled by your act of affection.
Nattles
Shaker Heights, Ohio, United States
This article touched my heart and helped me to realize how deeply my study of spiritual development can affect how we view situations. For me, this story was about deep connections which is but one way to define spiritual development. My doctoral dissertation was a grounded theory study that begins to define an early childhood educators' perspective on spiritual development that discusses children's dispositions and spiritual moments. I would love to share my work with child exchange. Please adsvice.
Thanks,
Dr. Deborah Schein
Post a Comment