Paraguay 2014, Day 10 – “Laughs helped break the language barrier”

Today was our fourth day working with the people of Santa Ana in Asunción, Paraguay. During the time that we have spent here I have made many observations that are heartbreaking as well as many that are heartwarming. It is very difficult to process the shock of seeing the people of Santa Ana’s situation, so I try to focus on the positives. Although the flood has displaced so many people and families, they continue to be kind, openhearted, and always smile and respond when you say ¡Hola! The children are so friendly and playing games as well as talking with them has taught me a valuable lesson and given me an insight to myself that I was unaware of. They are always looking on the bright side and make the best out of every situation no matter the severity of it.

Although my Spanish is not the best and I do not always fully comprehend what someone is saying, I am always trying to communicate with the children that I meet, through kindness and compassion. This has taught me that no matter how big of a language barrier there is, kind actions and smiles can go a long way and can positively impact the person as well as oneself by discovering the willingness to share love and kindness from a simple action.

When I went out with my group to finish up the census I was not expecting to interact very much with the people I would meet due to the language barrier that I was facing. However, when we arrived at the first house a 5 year-old boy came out and smiled at me. That one smile struck up a friendship with him that I will always remember. For the remaining ten houses or so, he was always by my side. He taught me how to play a game of marbles and we drew pictures in the dirt.

We shared laughs (most at my expense) and he introduced me to some of his friends. One of them, a 7 year-old girl, ran out of her house and gave me a huge hug. At first I was taken aback, but then I realized that she was so excited to meet and play with me that the shock of being hugged by someone I had never met before quickly wore off and we proceeded to play some more. Seeing the smiles on their faces when I would smile at them, or listening to them laugh when something funny happened was amazing because looking around at our surroundings (trash, flies, shacks with insufficient walls and roofs) one would not expect the laughter and joy that was being exerted by these children. It was truly amazing.

I am so thankful for everything that I have experienced while in Paraguay and feel like I have made an impact on people’s lives with the memory of moments that we shared. The laughs and smiles that I have shared with so many people have warmed my heart and made memories that I will carry with me forever.

Catherine, 16, Edmund Burke School