I’ve witnessed countless teams be fully uniformed, transportation to state playoff games, 4-H dominate county fairs and friends medical bills be paid because most of you bought a brownie at a bake sale. My daughter Emma lives with Fatima, a 16-year-old from Afghanistan. After hearing about Orcas, Fatima wanted to visit “home” with Emma. Fatima also had a project “Stories from the Frontline” that she wanted to put together and present in a big city like Seattle. She has never been to a city in the states. Her project was to gather teens from their school from war torn and conflict regions and put together a presentation. When money proved to be the only obstacle, Emma said, like any Orcas raised child would, “we’ll have a bake sale, it’ll all work out.”
When UWC students were here for the holidays they held a “Peace on Earth” bake sale on Christmas Eve and raised enough money to put Fatima’s project into a possibility. Orcas Christian School agreed to host them, Kathy Roosma and Mimi Anderson took on the task of venues, food, schedules, and the Episcopal Church invited them for an evening of dinner and talks. The ball was rolling enough for the United World College to commit to the kids spending the week in Seattle. On Valentine’s Day, Wendy Smith, Kathy, Mimi, OCS, OHS kids – more people than I can possibly thank in a column – baked and spent time at the market raising money for the kids from Afghanistan, Palestine, Israel, Malaysia, Columbia, Yemen, and Hong Kong.
Thank you Orcas for supporting and believing in not only my kids, but all of our kids all of these years. Your belief and support in them has taught them how to believe and support others when they are out in the world.
On March 5, Fatima is coming “home” with Emma. On Tuesday, March 8 they will go to Seattle and hundreds of students, professors, professionals, media outlets and people of all faith backgrounds will hear the “Stories From the Frontline.”
Fatima’s wish has been granted.
All because someone on Orcas bought a brownie.
Lynsey Smith
Orcas Island
