Today was our last workshop. In my post yesterday, I brought up my thoughts on what motivates the volunteers to do the work that they do. And I can tell you I now know. As the women were arriving this morning for the workshop, I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Because their smiles were so big and they were so joyful. It felt like a celebration.  And rightly so. They are survivors.

We went through introductions and I was surprised at the emotions I felt as the women introduced the person next to them, telling the group that person's expectations for the meeting and what excites her about TERREWODE. I couldn't even understand a word they said but just observing the friendship and the hope that these women had was enough to give me chills. If I had allowed it, it was also enough to bring tears to my eyes.

I now understand the motivation of those volunteers. All you have to do is look at the women who have been helped and realize there are 200,000 more women like them in Uganda who desperately need someone to restore their dignity and give them hope. What an awesome morning of hearing their stories. Hearing their achievements. And their challenges. And these women still face many challenges. It was difficult and frustrating. Especially as one woman had a child with her whose eye was milky and bulging out of the socket. I wanted to do something, to help in some way, but what can you do but take down her information and try to schedule her for treatment. Or the woman who was pleading for TERREWODE to once again offer her treatment as she has had 5 surgeries and still suffers from leaking. Although a minority, some fistula cases are classified as complicated and can take multiple surgeries to fix.

There are more details on the day. Certainly testimonies of the women to share and inspire you. But for now, I just wanted to say, I clearly see the inspiration behind the work that TERREWODE and their volunteers do. I will work this last week and a half with a renewed sense of motivation.