I read this book a couple of years ago, The Tipping Point, you might have heard of it once or twice. It is all about the momentum of change, how one small moment can spin you into something life-changing, something great.
Meet my tipping point: Homes of Hope
I know it would make sense to start from the beginning, to tell the whole story about Homes of Hope and how I crossed its path. But it seems like there is no way I could do the story justice. I'm still trying to figure out how this place, and the people I met there, are changing me and my understanding of the world. All I know is that I recognized the moment when the potential for change hit me full on.
Over lunch in her beautiful home on the beach, Aleida Mejia, one of the organizers, contributers, and all around amazing developers of Homes of Hope, was telling us about her exile from Cuba when she was only twelve years old. I listened as she recounted her early childhood in Cuba, the revolution, her family's escape to New York, and how she eventually ended up in Ecuador to do the amazing work she is doing for the natives of this country. And this thought hit me, "The example of this woman, all that she has experienced, all that she has endured, and all that she is doing now in spite of everything else, can change your life if you let it happen."
And that was it, my tipping point.
Now, I'm fired up for all that is possible. I can't wait for all that I can experience by working with this organization. And all that you who are planning a visit to Ecuador, get to experience as well. Dave and I have thought a lot about it, and we want to let you in on our plan. Everyone who makes the trip to visit us deserves to see the true life and potential that is Ecuador. Therefore, we want to give all visitors the opportunity to give one or two days of service with Homes of Hope. You never know, it could be your tipping point as well.
"Be the change you want to see in the world" - Mahatama Ghandi