What can be said about poverty that hasn’t been said before? I’m just a blogger/writer, and as I look at these children staring back at me through my camera lens, I want so much to be something more. As I snap pictures, I’m constantly asking God to give me something to say–anything, really–that might encourage somebody who lives in abundance to save one more soul from the effects of malaria or malnutrition or stunted growth or HIV-AIDS or dirty water. But still, nothing all that original or special comes to mind. So I just snap pictures.
More kids gather around me, begging to be seen. So I keep snapping and praying.
The kids are never clean. Most of their clothes are dirty and torn. They wash their bodies in mud holes. According to how I’ve been taught, you know, by the culture that I have grown up in, this isn’t how humanity is supposed to live. This life I see on the outskirts of cities and towns in Uganda is better suited for livestock.
Once in a while, as I’m being surrounded by children, I’ll see one that will offer a facial expression that seems different from the others. This boy’s eyes pulled me in with force. I wanted to spend the day with him, take him fishing or to Maggie Moos for ice cream, something–anything–to make him–a quiet little soul–feel special.
Maybe loved.
Sometimes the children really want you to take their picture. When I lifted my camera toward this little girl, she instantly struck a pose. Her clothes dusty and faded, a layer of reddish sand covering her black skin, but for a moment she appeared as confident as a supermodel. I wondered to myself how many times she’s thumbed through a copy of Vogue or Seventeen and told herself, “I want to be like one these women someday.”
And what a smile. Do you see the smile? She wants you to. And the pose. Make sure you see the pose.
This little guy’s mother asked me to take his picture.
Why?
Just so he could see what he looked like on the screen of the camera.
I showed him. He just stared at me.
When I took this boy’s picture, I thought, “How will this kid ever learn that God loves him?” He’s one of thirty kids who are running around looking to be noticed.
I could tell him that God loves him, I guess. But I’m not sure that would do much for him, since I’m due to get into a van and drive back to four-star hotel soon.
How’s that for God’s love…
As I get into the van, I think, “I’ve gotta stop being so dramatic.”
But what I see is dramatic, and every scene is smacking me in the face.
I smiled when I met this kid. Not only did he put his slingshot right at my camera lens, he did a karate kick at me, too. He was awesome. Though he isn’t a World Vision sponsored child, that doesn’t mean he isn’t helped. Because of World Vision, this kid and his family have clean water and medical needs.
Either way, he’s a cocky little soul.
Which was actually refreshing to see…
One of the other World Vision travelers had just given this little boy Gobstoppers… I’d just given him a sticker (it’s on his hand). I think he liked the candy better.
But I just wanted to let him know that I see him.
And be seen.
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