Her name was Andrea and she had the most beautiful smile I had ever seen in my entire life. She wore a plaid skirt with a matching tank top and her hair pulled back with a flowered pin. She was constantly smiling and giggling. But I ask myself- where will that take her?
Yesterday we went to Agua Negra which means black water. It is one of the worst parts of Dominican where 14 000 people live. I spent the morning playing with Andrea and her little sister. We played games like stella elle oh-la, soccer, hot potato, and piggy back races. She was beautiful and would constantly run up to me looking for a hug. Although I loved having her beside me- it was hard. I couldn't help but to look into her eyes and think about her future. Where will she be ten years from now- no next year- no tomorrow. Will she make it through each day with no water and barely any food. My eyes started watering as I thought about all that she has to offer to this world but she is so easily stripped of the opportunity. She has so much potential to do something great in life but will most likely never get the chance to.
It breaks my heart to look into each and every one of these kids eyes and know that each day is a struggle to survive and that many of them choose not to have hopes and dreams for the future because they don't know what's in store for them.
It is because of kids like Andrea that I am here right now, building homes and providing schools for those who need it the most. I will continue to do this for as long as I possibly can to provide hope for her and to let her know that although she may be stateless*, I notice her and I believe in her.
Love & Miss you all,
Bianca
*Stateless means that there is no legal record of one's existence. No birth certificate, no hospital records, nothing.. they don't belong to anyone or any place and cannot seek any aid because they are considered to be "inexistant
Yesterday we went to Agua Negra which means black water. It is one of the worst parts of Dominican where 14 000 people live. I spent the morning playing with Andrea and her little sister. We played games like stella elle oh-la, soccer, hot potato, and piggy back races. She was beautiful and would constantly run up to me looking for a hug. Although I loved having her beside me- it was hard. I couldn't help but to look into her eyes and think about her future. Where will she be ten years from now- no next year- no tomorrow. Will she make it through each day with no water and barely any food. My eyes started watering as I thought about all that she has to offer to this world but she is so easily stripped of the opportunity. She has so much potential to do something great in life but will most likely never get the chance to.
It breaks my heart to look into each and every one of these kids eyes and know that each day is a struggle to survive and that many of them choose not to have hopes and dreams for the future because they don't know what's in store for them.
It is because of kids like Andrea that I am here right now, building homes and providing schools for those who need it the most. I will continue to do this for as long as I possibly can to provide hope for her and to let her know that although she may be stateless*, I notice her and I believe in her.
Love & Miss you all,
Bianca
*Stateless means that there is no legal record of one's existence. No birth certificate, no hospital records, nothing.. they don't belong to anyone or any place and cannot seek any aid because they are considered to be "inexistant
This story brought tears to my eyes. Just remember that all of you working in the DR are giving kids like Andrea hope for a better future. It may be one small step at a time but all these small steps turn into one giant step for those less fortunate. Believe that you are making a difference in their world. God has blessed you with compassion & charity & the courage to do something with those gifts. So so proud, love Mom xoxox
ReplyDeleteMarisa says... ditto to the tears in my eyes!
ReplyDeleteYou are one amazing little sister.
love you
Mur