THE CALGARY HERALD
Linda Olsen
Canwest News Service
Published: Tuesday, February 03, 2009
Comfortably seated in her daughter's northwest Calgary home, Marie Ens smiles and gently sways back and forth as she remembers the moment she wrapped her arms around a five-year-old girl in Cambodia.
The child was about to be sold, likely into the sex trade, by the girl's aunt after the youngster's parents died of AIDS.
Through Rescue, the nongovernmental organization she founded in 2003, Ens brought the child to the orphanage she runs in rural Cambodia.
"She had crawled up on my lap. I just hugged her and thought 'you're rescued, you're here and you're OK. Nothing's going to happen to you.' It's just so gratifying. There's just no words for how wonderful it is."
Through Rescue, Ens has raised funds and awareness about the devastation HIV and AIDS have inflicted on Cambodia, one of the countries hardest hit because of pervasive prostitution. The orphanage, called Place of Rescue, includes 20 homes housing 180 children, most of whom lost their parents to the disease. They have also built an AIDS centre to shelter and treat families living with the illness.
"Desperate poverty . . . they couldn't look after themselves, especially after they got so sick, and so they can come there," Ens says. "We have houses and they live there and we just look after all their needs."
Ens spent most of her adult years working as a missionary alongside her husband, Norman. When Ens's husband died, she wanted to continue, but the missionary board she worked with suggested that, at age 66, it was time to retire.
It was a decision Ens struggled with: "People that I respected and loved were saying, 'You really shouldn't be going back on your own,' and really knowing for sure that that was what I needed to do and finally coming to the conclusion that I had no choice, that's what I was meant to do."
That's when Ens created Rescue and devoted herself to making a better life for those in dire circumstances so far away. It's something she hopes more Calgarians will feel inspired to help with, but she's not looking just for money.
It's been eight years since Ens was invited to retire, and today, at age 74, she has no plans to do that. She believes everyone has time and talents to offer at any stage of life.
"I would like to say to seniors, hang in there and keep on doing something, because it's really not over 'til it's over."
The joy Ens receives from a hug or a smile from the little children and families she helps through Rescue is what keeps her hanging in there herself.
"My life has been extremely fulfilling. It's just been really very wonderful."
Linda Olsen anchors Global Calgary's News Hour at 6 and produces the Woman of Vision series. The stories air the first Monday of every month on the News Hour. If you would like to nominate a Woman of Vision, call 403-235-7714
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