2016 Annus Horribilis (December 27, 2016)

Dear Friend,

I have a big family. My biologic family is spread across the globe. I don’t see them nearly as often as I see my Charter for Compassion family—many with whom I talk quite frequently. I got a call yesterday from Magdalena Whoolery, the lead Charter organizer in Botswana and we exchanged news of family and what was happening with our work, and then I knew she was going to tell me something that was going to unsettle me—it came out—she was moving from Botswana to East Timor. Magdalena and I came to the Charter family almost at the same time—separated only by a few months. Her breaking this news was no different that if a close relative or friend was saying they were moving away—going to start a new life in a new place. We both spoke of next steps by assuring each other that things were in the hands of a very capable team and the Botho Movement would be just fine though there would be a need to make some significant transition steps in the next months.

There will be a void in Botswana as Magdalena leaves the team with whom she has helped create multiple programs to:

• register indigenous people in order to secure their rights to healthcare and education
• train educators, parents and social service personnel on ways to eliminate corporal punishment of children,
• establish homes for street children who have lost parents to HIV
• create programs on breastfeeding to eliminate the deaths of babies to ill-prepared infant formula.
• and so much more.

The Botho team has worked with local businesses, partners and the government and they will continue to do that. Once you are part of the compassion family you don’t give up on what needs to be done.

One thing families frequently do is hide things. For example, how often do you ask a family member: “how are you?” and the answer is "fine"—which may not be accurate or truthful. If you asked the question of us, my honest reply would be that we are not fine, in fact, we are operating on fumes and we need your help to keep going. Over forty percent of our membership is free, and that is fine. Many of you, about 700, have given to us this year, totaling approximately $60,000. We are very grateful to each of you who have made this contribution. How might I phrase a question to compel the 100,000 or more of you who are reading this message to give to support the Charter? Many of you who are reading this have friends, connections and ideas? Would you be willing to share them. Some of you have means to send us a donation each month? If every person who was on our mailing list gave us the cost of one cup of coffee we could add two more people to our staff to support programs like the one in Botswana, pay existing staff and pay our bills. We don’t have enough hands to assist all those who are asking for our help. We have no office, the equipment we use is our own. The majority of our travel is paid for by people who bring us to their community. We run a tight financial ship. Please donate and if possible do more than that—become an involved member of our family. Volunteer, start a community initiative in your city. If you like to talk with people, write, do research—we need you.

2016 has turned out to be an annus horribills across the globe. There is no magic wand that can be waved to assure a better 2017. However, I’m willing to say that our Charter family will not sit when we should be standing or standing when we should be walking. We have much to do to make compassionate action our guiding force in the new year.

With the warmest greetings of gratitude and appreciation.

Marilyn

Marilyn Turkovich, Director

Charter for Compassion International