Africa is an amazing and diverse land, filled with wild animals and challenging situations.
As with any dangerous locale, it’s important to know who to trust and who to go to in times of need. Nature has given us all sorts of interesting pair ups, animals that look out for one another and enjoy a symbiotic relationship. This concept is known as “mutualism.”
One of the more interesting partnerships is that of the zebra and the ostrich.
Both the zebra and the ostrich share a common danger in the various forms of African predators, such as lions, cheetah, hyena, etc. The zebra is known to have an excellent sense of smell and hearing, but poor eyesight. Likewise, the ostrich has keen eyesight, but poor sense of hearing and smell. We can probably all imagine attempting to cross a dark room at night, bumping into items along the way. A lack of good eyesight becomes even more challenging when a lion is in the equation!
Both of these animals have a weakness that would otherwise make them an easy meal.
However, when they are together they are able to watch out for one another. Ostriches and zebra regularly travel together for exactly such a cause. By helping one another out they are not only keeping each other safe, but they are also keeping their own herd safe from dangers. It’s good to know who your friends are!
Think for a moment, if you were in trouble, who would you go to for help?
Who would “have your back” in a tough spot? Likely, we can all think of at least a few people who would be willing to give us aid during a challenging time and likewise, we would be willing to do the same for them.
The trouble for many people living in extreme poverty is that they often don’t have anyone to cover the gap and to help them in times of trouble. If we imagine that same scenario of navigating a dark room at night but those who might help us are equally blind, we begin to see the problem.
For most of us reading this article, God has given us a life of plenty.
We are able to afford things that we need, and in many cases, even things that we don’t need. We have a chance to be the support that those suffering in extreme poverty need. Along with that we have the chance to be blessed by doing so.
There are many dangers that the extreme poor face on a daily basis. Sure, perhaps they’re not facing down a lion. However, they face hunger, disease, exposure, and many other things that do not stop in their pursuit. We can change that for many people and give them the tools to be able to escape their desperate situations. Through programs like the Bright Hope Impact program, we’re helping the extreme poor to develop skills that will earn an income. To be able to invest both in their families and their communities, and ultimately be able to help those around them.
God has blessed us and we have the chance to come alongside others and bless them in kind.
There are many ways to get involved and partner with Bright Hope and with the extreme poor. Please consider joining our Impact program and becoming a regular Bright Hope Ally. We need your help and partnership in reaching the lost and those living in extreme poverty.
