The other day (I’ve lost track of what day it is) some of the children showed up to the work site as usual. They always seem so excited and happy to see us now. However, this day
was different. More children than usual showed up and they wanted to play cricket.
I wasn’t expecting it to be fun because of the conditions. It was a small playing area, there were people working off to the side, no one could play, and there was cow shit everywhere. I’m sure that an outsider looking in would never think these kids would have fun in those conditions. We were all working hard that morning, as there is a focus to complete the project. Even though I knew there was plenty of work to do, I took a break to play cricket with the kids.
I honestly didn’t expect to have fun, I just thought I’d entertain the kids for a few minutes and continue to work. However, what
happened was the exact opposite. I began to play but despite the language barrier and the horrible conditions of our playing area, as soon as we started playing it seemed as if everything stopped and nothing else mattered. There was nothing more important running through my mind. I forgot about our important project with a near deadline. I forgot about school, work, drama, debt, everything. The ball kept getting lost but we continued to find it and keep the game going. this new sport to me as an American and one I had no idea how to play with these kids that I didn’t know and didn’t know me. The kids were laughing at me because I was trying to speak to them in their language.
Looking back at that moment, I realised that these kids don’t have much but
in that moment they seemed so happy. Normally, giving the conditions, I would not participate in something that may get cow dung all over me. But I found myself not thinking about these minor things. The ball would roll in ‘shit’ but the kids and I would still pick it up, throw it, and wipe our hands on our shorts.
I think that naturally, no matter what a person is doing, constantly these pressures and issues are present in their mind. But in that moment, I could think about nothing but having fun with these kids. We had nothing but a dirty ball and happy minds.
Just coming here changed me, but seeing those kids in that moment is something I will never forget. They have helped me more than I have helped them. I hope that I can live like them and be happy regardless of the circumstances. This is a characteristic I have always tried to have but experiencing these children will have a huge impact on my life. I hope to not only be as happy as these kids but to show others that it is possible and that no matter the what’s going on, happiness is always possible.
Chico Tirado
