Having a Dream
The dream of a future is a wall for the poor in remote corners of the world. It is a dream for the future that we want the children in our care to reach for. The offer of an education and a dream are inseparable twins.
I just returned from a visit to our base in Indonesia. It another awesome trip with a small team from Alaska. There were many things we say and experienced, but I will not forget the times I spent doing the after school homework sessions. One of the boys in the program would come to do his homework every day. He was enthusiastic and just desired to learn. I wish you could see his face as he would come into the room ready to do his homework. One day he finished his homework and just began to talk to me about the memories of his life. He said he and his mother hid in the jungle when he was young because his father was going to kill both of them. He recalled how he had to be completely quiet, so he would not give away their hiding place. He spoke about other violence against him. He was now in a safe place and had dreams for his future. He spoke only for a few minutes but he revealed the wall he faced in his young life. I cannot forget his bright face–it was the face of a boy with a dream. It is worth the efforts to offer an education to see a dream in one face.