And then there are moments like these… 7.27.11

Yesterday I had a few surprising moments that made me step back and reflect… this is one of them…

Since I’ve started working in Nacaome there was a boy, about 12 year old looking boy, with a captivating smile and bubbly personality, who came to the office once every 2 weeks or so selling random stuff. One day it was peanuts, the next time is was socks, the next toilet bowl cleaner brush thing-a-magies and I would buy things from him just for the simple fact that he was honestly trying to make a living. After seeing him a couple times, I couldn’t help asking, how old are you? Where is your mother? Do you go to school? Where do you live? I would see him around the streets a few times and have a quick “hello, how are you?” exchange and that was it.

Well until last week when I saw him at the park, it hit me that I hadn’t seen him for a few months now. We talked for a while caught up on life- however much you can “catch up on life” with a 12 year old, and then he asked, “Can I have 10 lmps? I promise I will pay you back, I know where you work, and I’ll drop it off on Monday”. Well, I have been told to be a very naïve person- I choose to think of it as being overly optimistic- and of course I gave him the 10 lmps. He said thanks and went on his merry way and I felt positively sure that I was going to see those 10 lmps again. Then, while walking away from our little interaction, I immediately snapped back to reality and thought, I will never see those 10 lmps again, oh well (totally not complaining about the loss of 10 lmps, it’s like 10 cents, I’m not that broke)!

So Monday came, and the boy and my 10 lmps had vanished from my memory. Another week passed by before I saw him again in the park and the first thing out his mouth was, “I showed up on Monday and you weren’t there! I don’t’ have pisto (money) now!” Me: figures! “It’s ok, next time I see you though, I better get that money!” and I left not giving much thought about the whole thing.

Well a few days pass by and I see him at the park…

Me: “aja?!”

Boy: I have your money!

Out comes the 10 lmps

Boy: Here you go!

Me- AMAZED!!!!

Boy: Thank you

Me- AMAZED!!!

Me: You’re welcome

I could not believe this 12 year old boy actually had the principal… the morality to pay me back the 10 lmps. I was appalled, filled with happiness, amazed… simultaneously! I walked away with a smile on my face.

Just comes to show there is still hope!