by Megan Stacey
For Jessica Watson, it’s all about the kids.
She’s always had a soft spot for little ones – even building her life’s work around that passion.
And for the past few years, she’s dedicated consistent, monthly donations to the children of Busajo through Mothers with a Heart for Ethiopia.
She first heard about MWAHFE through her grandmother, who bought tickets to Gems & Java. What Jessica heard there tugged at her heartstrings.
“Shelley was just so honest and real about what was going on in Ethiopia. Seeing her heart for those people, I know it moved everyone in the room – but it moved me, really,” Jessica said.
“Even though we all can’t go out in the world or move somewhere, we can still help in other ways with the resources we have. That really struck me.”
It inspired her to become a regular donor. The project, naturally, was Busajo.
“Those kids are getting an education and they’re developing skills and creating community. It just really, really hit a deep chord in my heart.”
“Those kids are getting an education and they’re developing skills and creating community. It just really, really hit a deep chord in my heart,” Jessica said.
“I really believe that if you want to see change in the future, you have to start with children. They’re so impressionable and they just desire love. To me, that’s so important, to give love.”
Watson is showing her love for the children of Ethiopia in a tangible way, with a consistent monthly donation to Busajo.
“It’s a constant income they can count on,” she said. Charitable giving is a priority for Watson, though she’s incredibly humble about her efforts.
“You see that good things are happening and lives are being changed.”
“I really think we’re so blessed here. For me, I like to give 10% away of whatever I make,” she said. “If we just hoard all our money, nothing is going to change.”
And Watson is very comfortable directing some of her hard-earned cash to support MWAHFE.
“It just makes you feel good. You know where your money is actually going,” she said.
More specifically, she’s able to see the results of those donations, the difference that her funds are making in the lives of Ethiopian children.
“You really do know something by its fruit,” Watson said.
“(With MWAHFE), you see that good things are happening and lives are being changed.”