Batey 35

Today, we went to Batey 35. This Batey was a poorer Batey given that there was no wifi or satellite dishes. Fortunately, due to this, they were much more grateful for what they received and the kids were surprisingly polite given their circumstances. During the deworming, the children were not only coming one at a time, but sometimes we actually had to tell someone to come to the table because they were waiting about 10 feet away. Only when one of the oldest classes came out did it start to get a little hectic. They started to swarm the table and argue who was earlier in the line. Also, they were the ones acting the youngest because they were trying many different methods to steal extra pencils and pens. Even as I am writing this, it makes me sad to say that they were trying anything to steal pens and pencils! We take these luxuries so much for granted and just expect them wherever we go. If we need to remember something quick by writing something down, we simply just look around or dig in our couch for a pencil or pen. If we lose a pen or pencil, no big deal. But here, these could be an important possession that they savor for as long as they can last. The children at the Bateys are probably the most moving people for me because they always want to be with you, they are always smiling, and they spend the most time to try to understand you and get their point across to you. It is so hard to say no to these kids simply because of how rewarding it is and how happy it makes you, as a person, bringing a smile on their face by giving them a toy car, a wiffle ball, or a jump rope. Also, they are so ecstatic seeing their own faces on the camera screen when we take pictures of them. These kids' smiles are the biggest I have seen, truly from ear to ear, and I am simply just so amazed of how happy these kids can be in their situation that it inspires me to just live life a happier person and spread the smile.

Chris Poggi