I am not a good NGO worker. I don’t even remember the little girl’s name. Mostly because I’m not sure she understood my Urdu and because I definitely didn’t understand her reply, which was in Sindhi- not Urdu. I didn’t even ask her what grade she was in or how many siblings she had or what her favorite subject in school was. Obviously I’m a pro at getting to know children.
I didn’t ask her anything, because I couldn’t stop smiling at her.
She was just so giggly. Like one of those square boxes you got as a child and when you flipped it over in your hand it mooed like a cow or made some other obscure animal noise- that’s what her laughter was like. Like every time I looked at her, she flipped over in my hand and started giggling again.
She was holding this Crayola crayon box around her neck, held together with string (or something very much like string). She had found two cardboard cylinders and put them on the crayon box to make it look like a binocular/camera hybrid. And it was beautiful.
She kept holding it up to her eyes like she was getting that perfect shot of something. And then the effervescent giggling would begin again. The teacher continued on with her lesson, I continued on with my watching, and she continued on with her camera-clicking/binocular-finding. I could tell you that she was “capturing every moment of her education,” or that she thought her school was “picture perfect,” or that she had a “beautiful vision for her life.”
But really she’s just a little girl, with a great imagination and a contagious smile. She probably does love school and probably does have a great vision for her life. But she is a little girl just like your niece, daughter, sister, or neighbor. These kids are not merely a weak, depressed, down trodden, unfortunate project that you have sympathy for. They are funny, unique, colorful, innovative, confident, and beautiful; they are someone to believe in and get behind- not something to be pitied.
So let’s put on our Crayola-box-colored binocular/cameras and see her for the beautiful child she is. Let’s see the world the way she does, laugh a lot more, be thankful for the resources we have (no matter how small), and see every moment as worth capturing.
And I’ll work on remembering to ask names in the correct language and being a better NGO worker.
Caroline, awesome article–you have brought a Crayola stream of tears to my eyes. I am having a hard time still being in SC when I read your articles. Know that as I drive your car around that I am lifting up your name—thanks for that opportunity. Keep pursuing Him fervently and there will surely be no worries about being a good NGO worker! IHG,
jolly
Caroline, I enjoyed the pictures and the story. You are a great writer and should write a book. May God bless you.
Carolina, You may not remember me but I was your Music Teacher at BSES. I remember you even in 1st grade. When I heard about your Mission work and that I could read your posts on Email I was so delighted. I have read several now and truly enjoy every word. Thank you for allowing us to read all these wonderful letters about you and the children in Pakistan. I will be praying for you and look forward to your Emails. In Christian Love, Barbara F. Johnson
B a r b a r a
Caroline,
WOW, I have had a not so good Monday and I was not in the best of moods here at school until I read this blog. Thank you so much for reminding EVERYONE to see the world through the eyes of a child. I rarely eat lunch sitting at my desk, but today God had a plan and used you!! I will now go out into the halls and into classrooms with a different attitude. Praying for you and loving your stories.
Melanie
All I can say, is you are awesome. Keep sharing……………..