Remember how we learned growing up, that when you wish on a star or blow
out your birthday candles that you shouldn't speak your wishes out loud
because then they won't come true? Well, I treat many of my biggest
hopes and dreams much like a wish I've made by blowing the seeds off a
dandelion, a quiet prayer from my heart, words only God hears. If only
one, God. If only one. Because I know the sacrifices God would make just
for me. When the news channel asked to come and share what is
happening in Lakhtokia I contemplated long and hard over the benefits and risks but decided, if
only one. If just one person watches the story and says one prayer, does
one positive act out of inspiration, or sees that loving these children
is possible and necessary than it will have all been worth it.
Like a brick crushing my chest, I pain when the teenagers of the slum come to receive their meals and they are high. Sometimes causing fights, sometimes being overly physical with one of us, sometimes being too loud and drawing extra attention to the area where we set up shop. I pain so deep knowing that they started sniffing glue and petrol to suppress their hunger and like any drug they have found themselves addicted. I see the petrol soaked hankie in their hand and their eyes just can't focus to meet mine, if they did would the notice how I hurt for them? Would they see my eyes wander from theirs to the younger kids around them? I can't help but feel this weight of responsibility with the younger children, I so badly want to save them from that future. But the reality is that slum life is hard and learning to get high is easy so the odds are stacked. When I feel discouraged or lost in worry for each of their futures, I remind myself that if only one, just one of these children acts on the hope and love we have planted in them then every single effort will have been beyond worthwhile.
But you want to know what is amazing... sometimes one leads to another and even to another after that. There was a pediatrician nearby who saw the news story and wanted to help. he talked to other pediatricians, friends, officials and approached us. They are offering free medical care for every single child in Lakhtokia. Myself and a friend met with them last week, have another meeting tomorrow and will start the medical screenings from this Sunday. Lice treatment, deworming, wound care, and treatment of skin infections are the start. We talked for over an hour on where we can go from there, the thoroughness in their offered plan left me stunned. They thanked us (read: you included) for starting this project, for breaking down the barriers and stepping into a world that often remains untouched. For creating a footpath, a doorway, a foundation of trust in the community that can be safely built upon. Every single child will receive free medical care, I had to repeat it because it sounds so sweet. Every. Single. Child. Matters.
The unspoken wishes, the quietest prayers, a dandelion seed delicately blown into the wind.
Like a brick crushing my chest, I pain when the teenagers of the slum come to receive their meals and they are high. Sometimes causing fights, sometimes being overly physical with one of us, sometimes being too loud and drawing extra attention to the area where we set up shop. I pain so deep knowing that they started sniffing glue and petrol to suppress their hunger and like any drug they have found themselves addicted. I see the petrol soaked hankie in their hand and their eyes just can't focus to meet mine, if they did would the notice how I hurt for them? Would they see my eyes wander from theirs to the younger kids around them? I can't help but feel this weight of responsibility with the younger children, I so badly want to save them from that future. But the reality is that slum life is hard and learning to get high is easy so the odds are stacked. When I feel discouraged or lost in worry for each of their futures, I remind myself that if only one, just one of these children acts on the hope and love we have planted in them then every single effort will have been beyond worthwhile.
But you want to know what is amazing... sometimes one leads to another and even to another after that. There was a pediatrician nearby who saw the news story and wanted to help. he talked to other pediatricians, friends, officials and approached us. They are offering free medical care for every single child in Lakhtokia. Myself and a friend met with them last week, have another meeting tomorrow and will start the medical screenings from this Sunday. Lice treatment, deworming, wound care, and treatment of skin infections are the start. We talked for over an hour on where we can go from there, the thoroughness in their offered plan left me stunned. They thanked us (read: you included) for starting this project, for breaking down the barriers and stepping into a world that often remains untouched. For creating a footpath, a doorway, a foundation of trust in the community that can be safely built upon. Every single child will receive free medical care, I had to repeat it because it sounds so sweet. Every. Single. Child. Matters.
The unspoken wishes, the quietest prayers, a dandelion seed delicately blown into the wind.
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