Today was a tough day.

Today I had to watch my fellow employees grapple with the fact that the economy is making next year's budget difficult-- when money gets tight, philanthropy is the first thing to go with the donors and it hits the NGOs really, really hard. I was humbled as I watched those sitting around me figure out a solution to stay strong and steadfast to their mission to serve the orphans in the area. As they studied the budget and thought of possibilities to keep the organization functioning to its purpose the first thing to go were salary adjustments and anything that would make their lives easier. Then they went on to other possibilities after having selflessly denied themselves financial comfort. I admire the transparency of the organizations leadership, to take the budget with every single number included on the sheet, set it down in front of all the employees, and work together for a solution-- I can't imagine many companies share their budget with anyone but the handful of people on the executive board. It was a hard day, as it always is when dealing with money, but I was completely in awe of the maturity and the selflessness in which those that surrounded me approached the situation. I was touched to the point of tears. I was unable to comprehend how truly care about the work this organization does until today when I couldn't help but cry at the thought of them not being able to reach as many children as their hearts truly want them to.