I am back in Boston! When I left Rhode Island in August 2008, I had a feeling deep down that it would not be long before I returned to the east coast. I moved back home to the "Shire", IL for about four months and focused much of my time looking for the next "BIG" break. Though there were a few bites for that "BIG" break, it wasn't until mid October when Cradles to Crayons offered me an AmeriCorps VISTA (Volunteer In Service To America) position as the Community Outreach Coordinator. I jumped at the chance to work for a cause greater than myself and to move back to Boston - a city I love and a place where I truly feel at home.
Why did I apply to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA?
That is the million dollar question family, friends, colleagues and strangers have been asking me the last few months. I am happy to share that story with you.
It was a warm summer night July 1, 2008 and I was heading out of the newsroom to cover a story at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center in Newport. What I didn't know when the story was assigned by the executive editor was the fact that I was going to meet a man that night with a story to tell that would forever touch me in a way that nothing else in my life ever has.
His name is Erick Omondi Okoth. He is 29 years old and is from Kenya. He is a beneficiary of Catholic Relief Services and was invited to the community center to speak about HIV/AIDS. As I interviewed Erick before the program began, I knew almost immediately that this story was going to be different from all the rest.
Erick shared with me and the rest of the attendees at the community center his family's story of how they were drastically affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. By the age of 23, all of the adults in his immediate and extended family died of of HIV/AIDS. He was left to care for 15 brothers and cousins. He was selfless and made sacrifices in order to protect and care for his family. As he spoke, I saw the pain in his eyes and I had to hold back my tears. Though the pain was evident, what was even more noticeable was the pride he had because he did what he set out to do. He provided food, shelter, education and safety for his family. In addition to caring for his family, he wanted to do even more. He serves as a community mentor in his village for the AIDS, Population and Health Integrated Assistance project.
One of the things that struck me the most while interviewing Erick and then listening to him during the program was his incredible strength, will to survive and willingness to be so selfless and putting others first. He showed me the journal he carries with him everywhere he goes to keep him strong. The journal is filled with inspirational quotes and one of his favorites that made an impression on me was by Allan Loymc Ginnis, a Christian psychotherapist. The quote reads, “There is no more noble occupation than to assist another human being and to help someone succeed.”
Erick should serve as an example for all of us to follow. He made me want to do more. I believe that Americans don't really understand how dire the situation is in Africa unless they have directly been affected or unless they have visited and witnessed the devastation firsthand. One of the last questions I asked Erick was: What more can people in the U.S. do to help those suffering from HIV/AIDS in Africa? He looked at me and said that monetary donations are always appreciated, but then he looked deep into my eyes and said, "Christine, you're doing it right now." He went on to tell me that just by listening to his story, writing about it and then passing it on to others is more than he can ask for. He explained to me how powerful the written and spoken word can be.
As I drove home that night, I experienced an overflow of emotions. It's hard to put into words and explain exactly what happened that night because none of you were there with me to meet this man and hear his inspirational story. It touched me deeper than anything ever has. When I got home I had a hard time concentrating on the story because I was wrapped up in thinking about what I could do to make a difference. Before I started writing the story for the next morning's paper, I found myself online researching Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and other social service agencies. I was so motivated that I even started a couple applications that very night.
I was up all night that night. I made deadline...just barely...5:30 a.m....I might have stretched it to 5:45 a.m. or even 6ish. It was definitely worth the all-nighter. I think the story turned out to be one of my best stories of the year.
I feel that as an AmeriCorps VISTA, I am doing my small part, but I know that I am only scratching the surface. Just think for a moment what the world could be like if everyone took a minute to step out of their busy lives and think about what they could do for someone else. I think this world could be a very different place if that were the case.
If you would like a copy of the complete story, please e-mail me and I would be happy to send it to you.
Cradles to Crayons is a nonprofit organization based in Quincy that serves low-income and homeless children throughout the state of Massachusetts. The organization was founded in 2002 by Lynn Margherio as a means to provide children with the basic essentials they need "to be safe, warm, ready to learn and valued." 
