Antananorivo, Antsirabe
June 2013 Madagascar
A young man named Cedric, strolled into the mission with his pregnant mother. Wondering if he would hear for the first time in his life, he was clearly nervous, but put on a brave face for his mother. As soon as the hearing aids were turned on and he heard his voice for the first time, he jumped up and down and shouted for joy. His mother looked on with pride, knowing that he was going to be an amazing big brother.
Later in Antananarivo, two quiet young girls approached Bill and Tani Austin’s fitting stations. The one in Bill’s chair was sweet and compliant, but introverted. On the other hand, the girl in Tani’s chair was fearful and full of fight. The Austins worked diligently to calm their fears and provide the care they needed, and as fate would have it, they turned on the girls’ hearing aids at the exact same time. The girls began vocalizing simultaneously as Bill and Tani looked on in wonder.
The introverted girl in Bill’s chair came out of her shell, repeating and mimicking any sound he made. The young girl with the fighting spirit in Tani’s chair let go of her fear, and in its place, she found hope and joy. Smiles spread across both of the girls’ faces as they shouted for the whole world to hear.
Special Thanks
Naomi Tesfamariam; Rahel Aaron; Rotary International
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