Hungry Children

By Garrett Kenyon

Nothing inspires me more than children. Having a job that gives me the opportunity to impact a child’s life is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had. When I’m tired at the end of the day I draw strength from the pictures of sponsored children hung throughout our headquarters.

As much as those pictures move me – it’s no match for the experience of getting into the field and seeing those children face to face. I am currently on my first trip with Children International – to the Dominican Republic. So far, our journey has confirmed something I’ve always believed: children are basically the same everywhere.

Yesterday we visited a community called La Mosca (The Fly) that sits on the edge of a massive dump. Today we spent the afternoon in a dangerous neighborhood called La Havilla, or, as the locals call it, “Under the Bridge.” All of the hallmarks of poverty were present in both places – gut-churning pollution, overcrowded, tiny houses, and a pall of violence that casts a shadow over the narrow streets. And yet, among these unpleasant locations, like glimpses of the sun through a cloud-covered sky, were the beautiful faces of thousands of children.

Despite the crushing poverty that envelops their lives – they still light up with smiles and wonder when they see something they’re not accustomed to. They still give each other bunny-ears when a camera comes out. They still laugh and sing and play together, often oblivious of the danger so close to them. Meeting a sponsored child is always a special experience. But it’s the thousands of unsponsored children that are tugging at my heartstrings tonight.

You see – I was lucky. After spending the day ducking in and out of shacks, walking dirt roads, conducting interviews and photographing these dangerous communities – I got to leave. Today a little boy named Antony tugged shyly on my sleeve and asked if I would take a picture of him and his sister. Knowing that those two children are still there, in that desolate slum, waiting for a ray of hope, as I sit in this air-conditioned hotel room writing this blog is getting to me a little tonight. It would probably have the same effect on anyone.

When I return, I’ll write more about my experience here. It may take a few days to digest. Right now, the sheer force of the poverty is a little overwhelming. What make it bearable at all are the visits we make to the CI community centers, and getting the chance to talk to a sponsored boy or girl. My favorite part of each interview is when I get to ask them about their future. Sometimes they smile and hesitate before speaking – but they always seem sure of their answer once it has left their lips. They just can’t wait to tell me what they want to be when they grow up – just like children everywhere.

Garrett Kenyon is Children International's newest staff writer. He is currently experiencing his first visit to the field -- an experience many sponsors hope someday to share (or maybe already have shared!). It's hard to adequately describe the impact of personally meeting hungry children...families who live their lives in quiet desperation, barely clinging to hope....But Garrett has also had the joy of seeing the incredibly positive impact of CI's child sponsorship program. Look to hear more from Garrett about his visit in the days and weeks to come.

If you are a sponsor who has been able to personally meet your sponsored child, why not take few moments to post a comment and share that experience with the rest of us?