Maria has been coming to the Secret Garden for a few years. Due to severe physical disability and extreme poverty she has an incredible difficult life but she always amazes us by her positive attitude to life. All of us who know Maria are constantly challenged by her cheerfulness in the face of great adversity, her thankfulness for what she does have and her refusal to be negative. Every time we see Maria she thanks us profusely for the little we are able to do to help her and she thanks God for his blessings. At times like this, words fail.
We had a visit from two new Irish supporters in July and one of them, Kevin met Maria while on th way to the market with Philip. Like us, Kevin was moved by her situation and impressed by her positive attitude. He asked Maria what her dream was and she she had dreamed and prayed for many years for an electric scooter.
When Kevin returned to Ireland he posted photos of Maria on his charity's Facebook page "The Jacket off your back", appealing for an electric scooter for Maria.Fiona Kelly from "Road of Hope" Ireland shared Kevin's post and her good friend Frank Niesink from "Shoebox 4 Ro" in Holland saw the post and offered an electric scooter! Two days ago, Frank Neisink and Andre Nibbelink arrived at the Secret Garden with the scooter.
Maria was so excited she had not been able to sleep after Philip called her to tell her the good news. Frank and Andre showed her how to use the scooter and she was so excited she could hardly contain herself. It's not often that we are able to make a lifelong dream come true, but this was one of those rare occasions. Words are never enough to explain the joy we all feel for Maria. We can hardly believe how it was it all worked out for Maria to have her dream come true and we are so thankful to all involved!
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