This fellow was a joy to be around. He was so alive. He followed me down the street with his sister in tow.
It seems that everywhere I went in Kenya, it was very easy to see the innocence, happiness, joy and playfulness of the children. Some kiddos who have been through so much at such a young age still seem to have something in them. Something that made me take that photo of them.
I have worked with children for 20 years and it never ever gets old. Children hold a magic quality about them that seems to transcend even the worst of conditions. It shines through when you connect with them, look into their eyes, talk with them, play their games with them. They are special. They are our future. They are all we have in hopes of bigger and brigther tomorrows.
Ill never forget the work I did in Kenya in 2011 with two NGO's from Oregon. My time there was so special, as were the people. I was able to connect and become part of the Kenyan way of life while I was there. I was accepted as one of their own and made frienships that will last a lifetime.
I'll never forget the first time my phone rang after I had returned to the US, and when I answered, it was Emily, calling from her tiny village halfway around the world. I cried. I was so touched and was able to be right back there with them that it was like I had never left. I do know that I have left part of my heart there and oneday I will return. We are still in contact to this day and that is how I know (that and the feeling that fills my heart) I will return to Africa.
One final thought, while I was in Kenya I was filled with a true peace that I have only truly found a few times in my lifetime. The Kenyan people and life gave that to me. It is my humbled hope that I left them with half of what I recieved.
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