A Gift for Butterfly Friends Instead of Flowers

When Ole Harald Hagen passed away far too soon, he and his partner Grethe had already planned what they wanted to do. Instead of receiving flowers at the funeral, they wanted Butterfly Friends to receive a gift. The gift totaled 5,350 kroner, and we—along with all the children at our schools in Gambia—are very grateful for it.

This little message from Butterfly Friends was read at the casket of our beloved Ole Harald Hagen:

So the day has come that we must all face. Now you have gone before us, Ole, but we will follow one day.
We live here with faith, hope, and love, and that is exactly what you have given to Butterfly Friends.
You hoped that all the students would have good classrooms, and on one of the doors are the names Ole Harald Hagen and Grethe Ødegård.
You believed in Butterfly Friends by giving love to sponsored children and helping their families.
Just a few weeks ago, Ronny visited you, and he took about 30 kg of tools with him for a new workshop at the school in Gambia.
Today, too, you chose the students and Butterfly Friends instead of being surrounded by lots of flowers.

Thank you for everything you’ve given, Ole Harald.

Rest in peace.
Amen.