OUR LITTLE HERO
True Sportsmanship

A cold wind blew across the Ozark Hills and light snow "dusted" the parking lot. Inside the building at Ozark Mountain Gymnastics the antics of happy, excited children heated up the room.
It was Fetlework's tenth birthday. Her basketball team mates and other friends were there to celebrate at the sleep-over, attended by young and not so young including other adopted Ethiopian children.
She had come a long way in miles and environment in the nearly two years since she left the orphanage in Ethiopia.
There she had been confined within the compound walls, one of only two deaf children at Agohelma orphanage, which was founded and operated by Waizero (Mrs.) Ababech Gobena, and she shared what little she had with more than a dozen others in a barracks style room.
Now she sleeps in her own bed in a room by herself, attends public schools, is a straight A student, and plays soccer on an undefeated championship team as well as basketball.

When time came for refreshments the din subsided and soon the children gathered to present their gifts.
They were strange gifts for a ten year old; little stuffed animals and dolls and other toys more suited for much smaller children.
Finally there a big wooden plaque was unwrapped. It was inscribed with this message:

True Sportsmanship
Instead of keeping birthday gifts,
This sweet and special dove
Wants to give gifts to kids in need
Because her heart is full of love.
The only gift she wants to "keep"
is to keep playing basketball.
Happy birthday Fetla
You are a blessing to us all.


Photo collage by Poppy

The child had told her mother she has all she needs and only wanted gifts to send to the "brown babies" in Ethiopia. That is what she got. (To be delivered by folks who will be going to Ethiopia to "bring home" their adopted ones.)