12/08/2021
Some time ago I had the pleasure and the honour of spending several weeks with the Cummings family in rural Angola to document their medical work and their lives in Kalukembe. The Cummings’ commitment to the community they’ve become a part of as well as their selfless disposition and unwavering optimism in the face of personal hardship and sacrifice was a sobering reminder of my shortcomings as a human being, and the staggering deficiency in empathy that we as a human race are propagating.
I really began to reflect on how lucky we are as a family— to have our health, a home, stability and to be surrounded by loving and supportive family and friends. It was an overwhelming thought once I was done the accounting, and I really began to question whether I was deserving of the many opportunities and blessings I have had in my lifetime where there are countless others in this world who are enduring unimaginable hardships. It made me grateful and it gave me hope knowing that there are those who are still willing take hardship unto themselves for the betterment of others.
Religion and politics aside, the Cummings are bright shining examples of hope remaining in humanity. We all have it within ourselves to do the right thing, but more often than not we don’t take that path because it’s just too damn hard (self-admittedly). When you see an opportunity to do so this Christmas, do the right thing.
https://vimeo.com/582233768/9efec4048f
Doctors Daniel and Priscila Cummings and their three children have committed their lives to serving those in need in Kalukembe, a rural region of Angola. Driven…
