Our Journey with Brave Hearts

BHE Sponsors, Sharon and George

There can be few things more rewarding than sponsoring a child and seeing the difference one can make in countless ways to a life that has seen little joy. Over the years George and I have sponsored numerous children throughout the world, and we have traveled to meet most of them, to see personally what changes have been made in their lives and, sometimes, in their entire villages.

We have sponsored through (now) Brave Hearts for a number of years now, and we are immensely proud of ‘our’ three young people; Biruh, Temmar and Sebi. Indeed, we are proud of all the Brave Hearts kids and so pleased and happy to have had opportunities of spending time with many of them. 

On our second visit to Brave Hearts, Addis Ababa, we were amazed, thrilled and excited by the huge changes and improvements that had been made since our first visit two years prior.  Now there is such a warm, happy, safe feeling in the drop-in center. The kids have all progressed on so many levels, in so many ways, and they have grown into kind, caring, loving and funny young people who look after one another (and visitors!) in such a beautiful way. There are no words to describe the experiences we have had with these kids, the happiness we feel to learn of their successes and seeing their growth and progress both academically and in their life skills. They are simply gorgeous young people who have the much-needed love and support of a fantastic staff and who, in turn, love and respect the staff in return.  The children and all of the staff members are a ‘family’ and we honestly feel a part of that family too! 

We have seen such growth and development in these kids, most of whom have had to overcome extremely difficult situations and time, and who are now looking forward to bright and healthy futures with the help of Brave Hearts and, eventually, beyond.

We will never, never forget the experiences we have had and we look forward so much to our next visit when we can again enjoy the Brave Hearts experience.

We would sponsor them all if we could afford to!  We just love these kids. We so admire Temar, Sebi and Biruh – they have overcome unthinkable and sometimes unspeakable hardships and have become such lovely young adults. They amaze us! We simply wish for them health and happiness and success. We wish them to enjoy productive and satisfying lives and to perhaps give something back in their own ways, in their own time.

BHE does an outstanding job in all areas, in spite of financial challenges and occasional other bumps in their road. With continued support, financially and otherwise, there is no limit to the success BHE will find. We smile when we think of their smiles, our hearts fill when we think of their successes and of how the children have grown into such lovely, well-rounded young people. The most amazing and happiest of those feelings came when we saw Biruh get up and dance! Our young man truly came out of himself before our eyes and it was incredible. 

I wish there were words enough to encourage others – individuals, groups, companies – to support Brave Hearts in general and also to seriously consider sponsoring a child (or ten)!