It's been a crazy few days, and contrary to what many say - I don't think that one should use the poor to feel better about oneself. There are reasons to feel blessed, but Lord, let's not turn the disadvantaged into token meditation tools.
The reason why I can feel refreshed is because of two kids, who make me reflect on how God can exist in foresaken places. There's something about seeing a place through the eyes of a child. Not all, but some children just have that light and it's always an honour to know and be loved by some of them.
My little street angels.
Yesterday, I offered to take a couple of children home after buka puasa (open fast) since it was dark and I was at the centre anyway. The older refused and her younger brother piped up shyly, "Aku nak kakak ikut kita balik." (I want older sister to follow us home)
So I did. It was a short walk and an absolutely joyful one, with their high-pitched voices lighting the way. We passed a mentally ill man waving a sheaf of blank white papers at oncoming cars on the road, and a mamak (stall) flanked by a transgendered sex worker and female sex workers. That corner, on some nights, is a popular joint for the lower income European sex worker circuit.
After we passed the man, the older asked, "Kakak tak takut ke? Jalan ni tak selamat." (Isn't older sister scared? These streets aren't safe.)
"Engkau pula tiap-tiap hari jalan jalan ni - tak selamat ke? Takkan budak nak jalan kakak tak berani pulak." (You walk these streets daily - aren't you scared? If you kids can walk, surely there's no reason for me to be scared)
They asked me where I lived and I told them. "Oo, jauh - tak perlu ikut kita. Nanti kak balik lambat." (Oo, that's far - you don't have to follow us. Or you'll reach home late.)
I laughed and told them it's ok, as long as they get home safe.
The teen turned to the child sibling and explained, "Biar lambat, asal selamat." (Better late than never.) I wondered whether I should tell them it's drink and drive wisdom.
They waved and looked back after they cross the road to their home. They wanted to see if I was watching, and I am so glad I was.
I went home and told mum how moved I was that they were so concerned for my safety, when this was behaviour I took for granted as a child. I thought that this is how adults SHOULD treat me.
These kids, from a lower-income household in a red light district, were so incredibly sweet and sensitive to my safety, an adult.
One of the kids just waved at me from my office window and asked if I got home safe.
I told her I did.
Monday 16 August 2010
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