On Tuesday November 23, 2010, Evelyn, in all her beautiful glory, wearing a long burgundy dress with shawl elegantly draped over her shoulder, descended upon Parliament Hill looking like royalty. We had a personal tour of parliament buildings (oh so beautiful and fascinating) and then, in the evening, Evelyn went to share her story with about 40 invited guests from around the world (including MPs and Senators). The first person we met before entering the room was Senator Romeo Dallaire (WOW!).
We all sat around a u-shaped layout with headsets and microphones. Evelyn started talking and an obviously flabbergasted audience listened intently. Senator Jaffer told us that normally people wander in and out and generally they stay for half of an event such as this. Not a soul left. Evelyn cast her exquisite, humble, triumphant spell over the entire room. Many business cards were exchanged afterwards great contacts were made. There was a ton of interest in Strongheart House, volunteering there, visiting there, and financial. Evelyn was asked this question “if you have one dream, what would that be and how can we help you”. Her answer was first world peace, but then she went on to say that she needs help with her education, WELL DONE EVELYN!
The next day Evelyn was introduced to the Honourable Noël Kinsella, Speaker of the House of the Canadian Senate. He invited us into his very regal office, and promptly sat Evelyn down in the very chair and table that our Queen sat to sign the Constitution. He explained that President Obama was invited to use this office as his “office away from home” and then we all had photographs taken with him. Evelyn graciously took it all in her stride. I was moved by this genuinely interested and concerned gesture by the Speaker. We then went to sit in the gallery of the Senate, where Senator Jaffer introduced Evelyn to the House. She was introduced, along with 3 other guests, and Evelyn received a standing ovation. After a fabulous lunch in the Parliamentary Restaurant, we all went to sit in the “special guest” section of the House of Commons. It was a day where everyone of any note was there: our Prime Minister; all of the opposition leaders; and it was fun to pick out faces that I recognized and observe their (what seemed like) chaotic behaviour. Evelyn was introduced by MP Dr. Keith Martin. The chaos seemed to die as Dr. Martin read his statement of introduction. When he was done, our entire House of Commons stood up in unison to applaud this amazing young woman, at which point, Evelyn stood up and waved at the crowd (you’re not supposed to clap in the gallery, let alone stand up and wave!). She brought the House down. They errupted with cheers and applause. It was WONDERFUL to see such unity and support, a reaction which one would expect, but Senator Jaffer advised that she had NEVER seen such a reaction in the House of Commons in the 20 years she’s been in politics.
Bearing in mind that Evelyn has spent, at most, 3 years of her 19 years of life in the United States, 4 years as a child abductee under horrific circumstances in Northern Uganda, and the rest in her small village there, I still can’t get over how she took this entire event in her stride. Her resilience, grace, humility and inner strength still actually haunt me today (6 weeks later).
Now to change the subject just a little. Senator Mobina Jaffer completely inspired me. She insisted that Evelyn be brought to Ottawa so that her personal story could be heard. But while we were there, I couldn’t help but notice the sacrifice she has made for her life as a public servant. She literally did not stop working from the time she awoke at the crack of dawn, until well after 10 p.m. every day we were there. She is away from her family all week and comes home on weekends. She makes use of every moment of her time to help humanity and make a difference in this world (I met her while cleaning soaps on Vancouver’s downtown eastside, and also, she made the most spectacular wedding cake for one of the women who works there, who she met only once). I can’t imagine what it must be like to be battered about on the political battlefield, year after year and still have such a commitment to what is important in this world. Thank you, Mobina, you are a blessing to this nation of ours, and thank you for the trip of a lifetime for Evelyn and for me.
Here we are with the Honourable Noël Kinsella
