Andrea, a former University of Colorado student, chose to spend a semester abroad learning micro-financing in Uganda. While there, she happened upon an orphanage in critical condition. The children were being badly neglected and abused. Her heart broke for these orphans who had no advocate. That’s when this college student decided to do something. She called her parents and said, “I’m not coming home.” She refused to leave these children until something was done to improve the conditions.
By sheer determination and refusal to give up, Andrea and her sister convinced the Ugandan government to close down that orphanage, which left about forty children with no place to go. The government handed the children to her. Andrea brought this need back to the states with a new vision and desire to create a safe place for these children to grow and learn. Today, Musana (which means “sunshine”) is a thriving orphanage in Iganga, Uganda, housing over one hundred children! Andrea prefers to spend most of her time in Uganda, reaching the world, and bringing hope to people one helpless child at a time. When asked what it was that made her fight for these children, she simply said, “I just kept thinking, ‘if I don’t do something, who will?’”
Matthew West was so moved by Andrea’s story that he captured her courage and determination in his powerful song, Do Something. This song took the nation by storm and became the anthem for youth groups, volunteer organizations, and countless individuals in their journey to be the hands and feet of Christ. Andrea’s story inspires us all to use our God given talents to serve those in need. Notice that she didn’t rationalize and over-think it, she didn’t listen to all the voices that told her it was impossible…rather, she went to the extreme to show us what wild abandon to the cause of Christ looks like. It’s not about talking. It’s about doing. It’s time for us to do something. After all, if not you, then who?
