It Takes a Village.
Sometimes it’s hard to put into words the impact that one meeting can have on a person, but I can honestly say that meeting Dr. Anne has deeply impacted mine.
Women supporting women.
“Can you pop over today at 5? There’s a woman I want you to meet,” I hear my friend, Carolyn, ask as I’m running around gathering items for pickup, with my phone barely to my ear, as I’m clutching too many things in my hand. I’m juggling the usual mom things that occur at pickup time. Gathering the snacks, transitioning to what’s next for the after school activities and thinking about dinner preparation, work buzzing in my brain, my parents are coming to town that night and there are recitals, and things ....
“Okay! I’ll be there,” I say, realizing that I didn’t actually ask any followup questions, and truly didn’t have time, but this seemed important.
Sometimes you just know you need to say YES. So I did.
And I went.
We met in the kitchen, as women do - gathered around the island, chatting together and connecting. It was an impromptu meeting to get introduced to the inspiration who is impacting lives to change the world. She was coming right over after a meeting at Direct Relief, my favorite non profit humanitarian organization whose mission is to improve the lives of people in poverty or emergency situations by providing medical resources.
A circle of women coming together to hear one woman’s story, who would leave that night forever touched by her passion, resilience, and heart.
Dr. Anne Alaniz walked in, a beautiful blue dress, bright eyes with a light that sparkled out showering us all with her kindness and passion. We were rapt. For the next hour or so we listened to her story, the projects, the dream and I knew I was hooked. I needed to help.
She shared how in Malawi when you are a young female child you are “quick to grow up.” Your mother teaches you early on to care for your siblings, the family, how to fetch the water, because when a woman gives birth the mortality rate is so high it’s a miracle when the woman survives. She shared her story of growing up the oldest of eight siblings in a small impoverished village in Malawi, Africa. And the journey to becoming who she is today, a Board certified gynecologist in Houston Texas.
At the age of 16, an ER doctor from Texas visited her village and saw Anne’s potential. The doctor, wanting to make a lasting impact, offered to host Anne for a US education. With her family’s blessing, Anne moved from Malawi to Texas where she attended high school, college and medical school. While in medical school, she held a garage sale with her friends raising $3,000 she used to buy land in the Salima District of Malawi near the village in which she grew up.
On this land, in 2012, Dr. Alaniz founded the US non-profit Pothawira International where she raised funding and subsequently built an orphanage, primary school, computer lab, farm, mill, birthing center, and outpatient health clinic – the ONLY health clinic in Daniel Village which has a population of over 10,000.
As she spoke, I listened with my heart, but also with my uterus. Seems weird to say, but somehow as a woman who lives in a country with rights and medical facilities that support all kinds of health …I was hit at my core. It was beyond me, my mom, my grandmother, and all the women who came before. As a woman I feel connected to other women in a way that is hard to explain- the unspoken language of love and compassion, regardless of race, gender identity, sexual orientation, socio economic status. A heart connection. And I was in the presence of others who felt the same. What happened in that kitchen was the spark of something big.
I, myself, have undergone several medical procedures and the births of each of my three children were “complicated,” each requiring medical intervention in various forms. (Emergency C-section, wrapped cord, VBAC, etc.) Recognizing that each of these would have been life threatening for both my child and myself, had I given birth in Malawi under the typical circumstances, made it feel even more real. Taking a zoomed out perspective and recognizing where we live truly affects how we live and what liberties we have because of it, it puts a greater lens of perspective on the small things that may be taken for granted. Understanding that poverty is a lack of opportunity, that impacts the possibility to realize full potential and quite simply, give life safely.
No mother’s story is the same and the love of receiving a child however it happens, whether it is through birth or through adoption - the connection is so powerful.
Dr. Anne has countless stories of children, mothers, and birth. One she tells is of Mary and Timothy. A similar story for many young girls in Malawi, who have become the “mother” at a very early age, far earlier than is fathomable. When Mary was eleven years old, she came to the clinic with Timothy. And the providers quickly realized she, the eleven-year-old, was the sole care provider caring for them both. She had come because Timothy was sick and the staff quickly noticed a blood transfusion was needed to help recover from the severe anemia. Thanks to Pothawira they had the necessary medical supplies needed to complete the treatment for healing and recovery. Because of this both are thriving. Timothy, now age 7, attends Pothawira Academy, and Mary, now 17 years old, is currently excelling in secondary school. They have a home, food, love from a momma who now cares for them.
Amazing.
It is simple medical supplies and medicines that allow this chance. Thanks to Direct Relief, Pothawira has more resources to support the needs of the people of Malawi. Dr. Alaniz shares how one IV bag of fluid is actually a saved life. The Midwife Medical Kits that Direct Relief has donated to Pothawira contain the simple pieces of plastic and tools, found in a standard medical operating room and hospitals in the US, which are the difference between life and death.
Again, the tug at my uterus, connecting me to other women all around the world who also deserve the right to life, safety, and being the momma for their children.
To this I find myself both heart broken by the realities that are so vastly opposing, yet also compelled and inspired to do my part to spread awareness, compassion, and spark that hope in others so that we may work together. It’s up to us to create the change that ripples out into the world, just as Dr. Anne does everyday.
The famous quote by the Dalai Lama has a profound new meaning for me. “Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.”
Dr. Anne was that rock. She was given the chance in a country with possibility and education where dreams can become reality, where she could take her passion and learn. Her drive and motivation to soak it all in and share it back to her hometown is commendable. She has dedicated her life to supporting and saving lives. With Pothawira, Dr. Anne has created an infrastructure that is supporting maternal care and infants with the dream that will allow children to grow up with their mothers. Pothawira focuses on serving the community of Salima working to provide healthcare, education, and sustainable projects.
Dr. Anne Alaniz is a beautiful example of how one person can make a difference in the world.
And to me, she is an inspiration to do my part - What can I do to make a positive difference in the world? How can I show up each day to help others?
Imagining the spark and passion that Dr. Anne brings into her everyday, and sharing the ripples of change with those around us, that’s one small step. Thank you Dr. Anne and Direct Relief for all you do to support humanity.
On April 24, 2024 Carolyn Fitzgerald, Bethany Harkrider, Connie Maday, Stephanie Sanders, and Dana Seltzer, from that initial kitchen meeting with Dr. Alaniz came together to put together a special event for Direct Relief with Dr. Anne as a presenter. Dr. Anne who is now one of Direct Relief’s Partners has real life examples of the impact that the support from Direct Relief has had on the people of Malawi. Because of the incredible aid from them she is better able to support the needs of the community, especially the lives of mothers and children.
Some highlights from the community event. Thanks to all who joined us!
It was a full circle moment for the Spark to Empower Changemakers who had recently toured Direct Relief’s impressive warehouse to learn about the humanitarian support they provide across the globe. To witness the packing of Midwife Kits, view them in production, and then learn about the lives saved because of these kits was incredibly moving and such a fine example of how when we together we can make change. The ripples that spread out far beyond what is seen. And this is only ONE example of the many ways that Direct Relief supports individuals all around the world.
One of the Spark to Empower Changemakers, Ruby Donahoe, shared, “I learned that there are so many people helping everyone, everywhere and it’s so amazing! The amount of things that [Direct Relief] gets to people all over the world that are changing their lives is really amazing!” And I couldn’t agree more. When you see it in action and recognize the tremendous effect this aid provides, it instills hope. And we can all use a bit more hope for our world.
With the intention to give back to Direct Relief and honor the work of Dr. Alaniz, the changemakers and their mothers created the beautiful bouquets that were part of the decor at the gathering. Thanks to Trader Joes for donating flowers for the event! They provided the vibrance that matched the energy brought by the community members who came out to meet Dr. Anne Alaniz. Perhaps you also received a welcome smile and greeting upon entry from one of our young changemakers. We thank you for being a part of making the event so meaningful! And to all our event sponsors, especially Carolyn Fitzgerald, Trippers and Askers Wine and Ysidro. Thanks to Thomas Tighe and the entire Direct Relief Board who were present at the event along with Dr. Joanie Hope who traveled out to represent Pothawira with Dr. Anne. All the people coming together in community truly made it a glorious evening. Even the sun decided to shine on us that spectacular day!
Sometimes it’s hard to put into words the impact that one meeting can have on a person, but I can honestly say that meeting Dr. Anne Alaniz has deeply impacted mine. And to have my daughter and the other young changemakers be in her presence supporting the work was a dream.
It takes a dream to ignite more.
What’s yours?
xo
Experiencing the Direct Relief Warehouse and learning about the incredible support they provide throughtout the world.
Spark to Empower Changemakers Creating the bouquets. Thanks to Trader Joes for donating the flowers for the event.
