I know Shara Enay from when she was a writer for Hawaii Business magazine, and I knew from the start that she was a special person.

She decided to go to Ethiopia to help the children there and has an amazing experience there, which she’s written about on her blog. This post was written as she prepared to leave Ethiopia:

When I decided to return to Ethiopia to work with orphans, I knew I was setting myself up for a broken heart. Six months ago, I stepped off of an Ethiopian Airlines flight terrified, unsure of myself and not knowing if I would last even six weeks, but hopeful that I could make a difference in other people’s lives. This experience wasn’t easy: Some days were awesome and some were down right awful, but it was life changing. I am leaving Ethiopia with a very heavy heart – again – because I will miss the wonderful people I’ve met throughout this journey, but, this time, I am departing with a sense of pride and achievement. I am not just content with the way things unfolded; I’m happy.

…I’ve met some of the most honest, compassionate, generous, genuine people here; people I will be honored to call lifelong friends. Since most Ethiopians don’t possess a lot of material wealth, they find happiness in simple pleasures, such as eating dinner with family and friends, watching a football match with coworkers, or helping their neighbors with home projects. They still pick up the phone and call people just to say “hello” and it’s common for them to drop by a friend’s house unannounced for coffee if they happen to be in the neighborhood. In a place where poverty is so widespread and there isn’t a lot to see or do, people and relationships become your first priority – exactly the way it should be.

Read more of her blog posts here.

I am impressed with her. “If you neva go, you could not eva say you went. You the best,” I commented on her Facebook page.

Have a look at her blog. This experience has helped her to rediscover some of the most important things about life, and it’s a good reminder for us all.