So it's been awhile since I've updated my blog, I guess there hasn't been enough to tell (or want to tell!) so I've done a little reflection! I'll hopefully add some photos later in the week! Merry 'early' Christmas everyone!
I woke up this morning and before I knew it reality set in.
I am not home, I do not have the comforts I usually have.
I look around from my bed, there is my kitchen, and there is my bathroom.
All in one room I feel trapped, I feel stuck, I have nowhere to go.
But it doesn’t stop me; it doesn’t stop me from getting up.
So I get going, get started for the day.
Wonder what is going to be beyond those doors.
What child is going to ask for money?
What adult is going to sing “Wish you merry Christmas” again
I learn to say “wala”, means nothing
Most of the time, they give up other times and more recently they follow you ‘wala’ isn’t enough.
I walk up to the shops, pass the colourful jeepneys, and pass the young children carrying their baby siblings in over sized clothes sometimes wearing nothing at all.
I wonder what life is like for these children, I wonder what I could do to help them because I know money isn’t the answer – money encourages them to come back for more and we don’t want that.
There is a feel in the air of happiness, people are more giving and there seems to be carol singers everywhere! After all Christmas is a big celebration here.
Maybe this is why there are more people asking for money and not saying wala is not enough.
I feel and I know that Christmas is a time to give and I’ve already given to those that are in need that I am connected on a personal note, isn’t that enough!
So after I’ve made it to and from the shops, I head home to the safety net of my four walls. I tell one girl ‘wala’ as she follows me down the lane. One of the locals hisses at her to leave me alone and eventually she gives up and walks away
Reality is I can only do so much!
