Often we see all those “Save the Children” commercials and we think “those poor kids”. Then we switch the channel and carry on with our lives. It isn’t until when you are actually here, in Africa, with those children that it becomes real.
Upon commencing our ministry in Malawi, my team and I went into a village in Lilongwe. As we approached, kids appeared from everywhere and came to greet us. They are always so excited to see us and chant the now very familiar call we are all used to. As we drive up we hear “azunguuuuuuuu”. It’s like a village cry that alerts everyone that the “white people” are in the village. We pack into a living room and the children follow. There must have been 50-60 kids. They all tried to crowd into the living room to see the “azungus”, to hear what they have to say. The room quickly filled up and children started looking in through the windows. I noticed a small child trying to look in. Strapped to their back was an even smaller child, an infant no more than 2 months old.
It is not uncommon here for little girls to carry their siblings strapped to their backs. We actually see it quite often. Babies caring for babies. Often times their parents die of AIDS or other illnesses and the kids are left with elderly grandparents who sometimes cannot properly care for them, so they care for themselves.
I watched this small child as they tried to get in and find a spot inside with the “azungus”. Seeing that the room was full, they turned around to leave. Then I noticed something that took me by surprise. This small child was a boy. It probably shouldn’t have shocked me as much as it did, but I was used to the little girls carrying the young. However, before me stood a little boy probably no more than 6 years old carrying his baby sister. Trying to go see the “azungus” and bringing his little sister to them.
My heart brakes for these kids. So many of them having to grow up before their time. So many times while in these villages I find myself feeling like I just want to take them, clothe them, feed them, educate them… and I don’t even like kids like that… It’s hard to know what to do or how to respond. Unfortunately, you can’t save them all. We can however be here. Share with them, play with them, Love on them. Please keep these little lives in your prayers. Though I can’t save them all myself, I can pray for them, we all can.
Stay Blessed
Kim 🙂
