Looking through my reflection notes for this week, I realized how much my view of the situation in Santa Ana has changed through observation. I was able to see first-hand the situation of the displaced people, which is something the media could never completely cover.
I see the coldness of the Paraguayan government and how strong an individual has to be in order to survive in a harsh condition without the help from their government. They are strong, stronger than anyone. They have faith, more than anybody. They smile more than I do.
This week, I spent a lot of time at a church separating clothes into different categories for families who were affected by the flood. At first, we didn’t feel like dealing with thousands of clothes. We wanted to do something big, something that can directly make a significant impact to the community. Dealing with clothes is not fun (NOT AT ALL)! I constantly heard my friends complain about their role and how bad they want to do something else and see an immediate impact from what they’ve done.
I paused and asked myself,
“Hey Kai Lin, what else can we do to help the community?”
“Can we build houses for them? Can we give them money? ”
“Can we stop the flood or can we get their government’s attention?”
NO! NO! NO and NO! We, Americans don’t have the power to save the world nor the responsibility to fix other governments. There is not much we can do to save this community, but we’re here to help and our presence shows that they’re not fighting in this world alone.
Sorting clothes is the least we can do to help this community. I saw kids running around the street naked and barefoot. I experienced the coldness of the winter and the weight of the flood. Looking around the church full of clothes, I am starting to appreciate the fact that many people care about these families, and want to help and be part of our project. Even though most people only have donated clothes they didn’t want, and not the clothes that these families need, something is better than nothing.
As we sorted clothing, we were tempted to escape to another world with our cellular devices and earphones. There were times when we would stop and almost quit.
Two days ago, a nine-year old girl ran toward me with the speed of wind and started speaking to me in Spanish. I can understand a decent amount of Spanish, but to have a conversation with her in Spanish was pretty difficult. It was awkward. I nodded my head and the only word that came out from my mouth was “sí”. I wished she would just leave me alone. I wished I could communicate with her in Spanish. I wished someone would help me. I tried to smile and walk away. Suddenly she took a seat on the step near us, looking at the painting of Maria and Jesus. She asked me if I knew them. I shook my head slowly while looking down at her. This girl taught me a lot about Jesus and Maria, and why they’re important to her. She also taught me how to pray and use my heart to communicate with God. She always smiles and is sweet to others. She told me about her relationship with this church and how much she loves this country.
She’s brave and tough, she fights with a smile and sleeps with hopes and aspirations. She’s my role model. If I had to be in her shoes, I don’t think I could ever be as strong as this nine-year old girl. I would cry and complain about life, I would question God and not have any hope. I would quit. She is someone who I look up to. She is a true role model for everyone.
Kai Lin, 16, E.L. Haynes Public Charter School