Walking into one Rohingya refugee family’s shelter, it’s clear that their new home could use a little TLC. A family lives there, but the space is crowded. Some of the basics are missing.
This is particularly tough for a new edition to the family – an elderly man who the family took in when they fled. The generosity of the family is incredible. They’re struggling to support themselves, yet they couldn’t let their neighbor go without a roof over his head.
But providing for everyone is a challenge. We noticed that this man doesn’t have a bed to sleep in – right now, he rests his head on the hard, dusty floor.
As soon as we realized there was something we could do to help, it was like a light switched – OF COURSE we could step in to get this man a mattress!
With a streak of serendipity, we already had some mattresses in our waiting car, en route to being delivered somewhere else. So we simply pulled one of the mattresses out and gave it to our new friend.
As soon as he saw his new soft spot to sleep, he broke out in a wide grin. That smile soon spread to the rest of the family, and a feeling of deep relief came over the group. They had wanted to do something for him, but their hands were tied.
With this one step, we could help them help him sleep a little more soundly tonight.
