This is the second of a two-part series by Children International employee Vong Hamilton, who accompanied the International Youth Day delegates from around the world as they visited New York City.
DAY 2
All week at IYD, my already humbled worldview was continuously broken down and rebuilt. A few things I learned from being around the youth were that:
1. overcoming the choking barriers of language gives you an exhilarating freedom to laugh and make new friends;
2. you are never too young to lead and teach;
3. you are never too old to learn from a younger generation;
4. your future is what you make of today.
On the last night, as the youth held hands and imparted their best wishes on each other, the tears flowed freely. A moment I will never forget, and couldn't even imagine most adults doing for each other, was watching Chengo's tears stream down his face and the hand that extended to wipe them away. Ranjit had reached out to dry the wetness on his new friend’s cheek. The two boys who started out in that pizzeria as strangers were leaving as life-long friends.
And I...I have a new appreciation for the job I do. Now I picture those 11 faces and know that every bit of effort I put into my job, albeit small, is making a big difference to someone else across the world.
Special note: A team of employees from Children International is on its way to Ecuador today. Starting Sunday and lasting all week, look for daily posts from the field. It's going to be fun!
DAY 2
All week at IYD, my already humbled worldview was continuously broken down and rebuilt. A few things I learned from being around the youth were that:
1. overcoming the choking barriers of language gives you an exhilarating freedom to laugh and make new friends;
2. you are never too young to lead and teach;
3. you are never too old to learn from a younger generation;
4. your future is what you make of today.
On the last night, as the youth held hands and imparted their best wishes on each other, the tears flowed freely. A moment I will never forget, and couldn't even imagine most adults doing for each other, was watching Chengo's tears stream down his face and the hand that extended to wipe them away. Ranjit had reached out to dry the wetness on his new friend’s cheek. The two boys who started out in that pizzeria as strangers were leaving as life-long friends.
And I...I have a new appreciation for the job I do. Now I picture those 11 faces and know that every bit of effort I put into my job, albeit small, is making a big difference to someone else across the world.
Special note: A team of employees from Children International is on its way to Ecuador today. Starting Sunday and lasting all week, look for daily posts from the field. It's going to be fun!
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