Help families in Uganda
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Jodie, Adriano, Melbee and Ensi have been on a journey to bring home their sweet child and brother, Pavine, for over 3 years now. If you're like me, you've wondered what you could do to help in some way. The Vieira's would never ask for help but I know there are so many people that want to assist them and show their love and support for this dear family.
Below you will find Jodie's last Facebook post which says so well what they have been through these last few years.
three years ago today, we were matched to you, Pavine. you were 15 months old (you’re now 52 months). the day our agency in Austin called to tell us about you is another story altogether, but it was that moment, when we accepted and saw your first pictures, that this story of “us” began. Pav, you have the emotional understanding of a wise old man (and you love with as much intensity too). you live in this tiny body, asking questions and going through life as if you’ve lived 100 years already (and to think pai and i were worried about your emotional attachment;). we’ve watched you become this. it amazes us. it’s been a gift to learn where you come from. we’ve spent much time at your birth home, your (gorgeous) village near to the Congo border, learning who you are, and how your tribe, language and customs are unique within the Ugandan culture. we’ve gathered years of both written and voice recorded interviews with everyone who knows you, who knew your birth parents, which we’ll one day share with you along with the few small and incredibly special keepsakes, once owned by your birth parents, that we’ve also been able to collect. we know the depths of what it all means now and will one day mean to you. you have an amazing story already, Pavine...
it’s 4:40am here and the first call to prayer of the day is especially loud this morning. as i lay awake, i keep thinking about saturday. you and i were sitting together watching our friend climb the avocado tree to harvest and you said to me again, as you do almost everyday, “mama, tell me a story about going to virginia...tell it really slow, not too fast...,” and so i started as i always do, “one day, pai, mama, melbee, pavine and ensi...” but this day you stopped me mid-story and looked up with your eyes full of tears and said “mommy please don’t leave me here, don’t go to virginia without me.” you squeezed me so tight. i (barely) kept it together when i told you “pai and i are fighting so hard for you right now and we will not stop until we’re all home together. we love you so much. you are our family. you bring light to our world. you are right where you belong” (and i just kept going, trying with word after reassuring word of how we love and will never turn away).
it is true, these last few months have been brutal. harder than any other period of time in mine and adriano’s life. so trying. so difficult. if you were here, i’d sit and tell you all the reasons why it’s been like this, but it’s not something i can write, i don’t have the energy to anyway....just know we’re here still! fighting for our Pavine. as i’ve written before, an experience like this makes you question every single thing about yourself, who you are, what you have to offer as a human, as a mama/pai. an experience like this can break you apart. but adriano and i continue to move forward, relying on strength from each other, our precious kiddos, family and friends, our faith. i just can’t wait until i can write you that we’re boarding our plane home to virginia, together as a family of five!!! until then, celebrate this three year anniversary with us and keep keeping us in your prayers. xo
Jodie, Adriano, Melbee and Ensi have been on a journey to bring home their sweet child and brother, Pavine, for over 3 years now. If you're like me, you've wondered what you could do to help in some way. The Vieira's would never ask for help but I know there are so many people that want to assist them and show their love and support for this dear family.
Below you will find Jodie's last Facebook post which says so well what they have been through these last few years.
three years ago today, we were matched to you, Pavine. you were 15 months old (you’re now 52 months). the day our agency in Austin called to tell us about you is another story altogether, but it was that moment, when we accepted and saw your first pictures, that this story of “us” began. Pav, you have the emotional understanding of a wise old man (and you love with as much intensity too). you live in this tiny body, asking questions and going through life as if you’ve lived 100 years already (and to think pai and i were worried about your emotional attachment;). we’ve watched you become this. it amazes us. it’s been a gift to learn where you come from. we’ve spent much time at your birth home, your (gorgeous) village near to the Congo border, learning who you are, and how your tribe, language and customs are unique within the Ugandan culture. we’ve gathered years of both written and voice recorded interviews with everyone who knows you, who knew your birth parents, which we’ll one day share with you along with the few small and incredibly special keepsakes, once owned by your birth parents, that we’ve also been able to collect. we know the depths of what it all means now and will one day mean to you. you have an amazing story already, Pavine...
it’s 4:40am here and the first call to prayer of the day is especially loud this morning. as i lay awake, i keep thinking about saturday. you and i were sitting together watching our friend climb the avocado tree to harvest and you said to me again, as you do almost everyday, “mama, tell me a story about going to virginia...tell it really slow, not too fast...,” and so i started as i always do, “one day, pai, mama, melbee, pavine and ensi...” but this day you stopped me mid-story and looked up with your eyes full of tears and said “mommy please don’t leave me here, don’t go to virginia without me.” you squeezed me so tight. i (barely) kept it together when i told you “pai and i are fighting so hard for you right now and we will not stop until we’re all home together. we love you so much. you are our family. you bring light to our world. you are right where you belong” (and i just kept going, trying with word after reassuring word of how we love and will never turn away).
it is true, these last few months have been brutal. harder than any other period of time in mine and adriano’s life. so trying. so difficult. if you were here, i’d sit and tell you all the reasons why it’s been like this, but it’s not something i can write, i don’t have the energy to anyway....just know we’re here still! fighting for our Pavine. as i’ve written before, an experience like this makes you question every single thing about yourself, who you are, what you have to offer as a human, as a mama/pai. an experience like this can break you apart. but adriano and i continue to move forward, relying on strength from each other, our precious kiddos, family and friends, our faith. i just can’t wait until i can write you that we’re boarding our plane home to virginia, together as a family of five!!! until then, celebrate this three year anniversary with us and keep keeping us in your prayers. xo
Organizer and beneficiary
Casey Hutcherson
Organizer
Richmond, VA
Lisa Patel
Beneficiary