Dreams

You know when you dream of something when you're 16, 17, or 18 such as becoming a movie star, musician, a world traveler, or whatever it is that you dreamed of, but the reality seemed so distant and more than likely impossible? I'm living that dream. At this moment I am in Gambella, Ethiopia which is on the eastern border of Sudan. We traveled by air to Jima and then transferred to Gambella and arrived just a couple of hours ago.

The airstrips in Jima and Gambella were paved but there was no tower for air traffic or any officials in uniforms to guide you through the unboarding process, but there were certainly enough military for a battle. I must say that it was intimidating, but I was never afraid....Okay I'm getting off track, so much has happened...let me get to the point. If you have ever seen a humanitarian film you'll know what I'm referring to. The scene when the workers are being transported to a mission in UN vehicles in the middle of the bush in a convoy...THAT WAS ME!! That was my dream.

And now I am living in Africa-Addis Ababa to be exact, working toward the realization of children's right to family and conversing and working with the UN on a mission. It is absolutely unreal and there are not words to describe my excitement, my joy, and of course, my fears of being in such a village. But I am here and until that moment in the UN vehicle, I had not come to understand my position and the reality that I am ACTUALLY here. Even if I fail now, I have reached the top of a mountain that I believed I would never even be given the chance to climb. I don't know what to say. I am speechless.

And guess what? I actually have a mosquito net! I suppose they're not traditionally a sign of good health, but I have always wanted to travel somewhere where they are necessary.

The children.

What isn't there to say? They are absolutely beautiful and so smart and friendly. Almost every child on the street waves to us, because of course we are strange and new (no other white people were on the streets all day). They took our hands and simply held them. Not looking for anything, but a hand to hold and for some attention they have been lacking until now. What are their stories, is what I think about when meeting a child. Does she have parents? Does she attend school? Has he been working the streets for his family's income? Has he suffered from abuse or neglect? Did her mom die recently? (because the chances are high that she has) and most importantly...Does she feel loved?