I was in Cambodia at a street family home in the middle of a dusty nowhere. White cows roamed freely along the dirt road as we road our bus to this place.
It was an orphanage for mothers and their children who did not have homes. Many of the people I was on the trip with were just trying to get through the trip. There were 6 other 18 year olds, myself, and two guides. The adventure and the desolate and wild bus ride was getting me exited. This was one of my favorite parts of the two month trip.( Bali, Cambodia and Thai Land).
I was walking around playing kick ball with some of the kids. You see 6 year old boys holding babies and taking care of them. Some even held the little ones while playing kick ball. We think they need our help, but I learned these children were more mature and strong then many adults I knew back home.
I made my way around the grounds. I saw this lady tucked back a bit under a small sheltered area, rocking her baby girl in a hammock. I walked up to her.
She did not speak English but I looked at the baby girl and she has a huge sore on her mouth, a fever and was very sick. I could see the concern on the mothers face. she let me hold her daughter and rock her in her little hammock. I said " you need a break" she smiled and nodded. The mother smiled and we agreed her daughter was sick by nodding our heads. I learned alot of ways of comunicating on this trip with gestures and smiles, facial expressions. I rocked her baby and expressed my concern. I looked around and realized how lucky I had it back home In the US. These sweet mothers had to worry constantly about their childrens health. Sicknesses ran rampid all the time through the street family home, and they were lucky to stay healthy for more then a few months at a time. About 80% of them had some sort of parasites or worms making their lives miserable. And just to stay alive was their main concern. Not wether their kid will get a new car, or go to college, none of that was even concidered an option.
A few days later I saw that same sick little girl suddenly running around playing kick ball with the other kids. It brought tears to my eyes and i just watched her, felt many mixed enotions, as i thought they needed me, but the mother was completely capable. I was humbled in this moment.
As I realized they did not need me as much as I thought. In fact we were the ones who needed to learnfrom them. In the US we think we need new things to fill a whole inside. Well these people had accepted the pain, and therefor were stronger. They tought me to embrace the struggle and know truth in myself. These were priceless lessons.
I left Cambodia with a huge heart and love for life. The simple things and a smile go a long way. They taught me, that people can be strong and happy with having so little. They taught me to really think about what was important to me. I realized I wanted to help others in some way after that. And that i didnt really need anything, i already had all i needed, like those kids taught me, i have a heart and I can feel, share love with others and be kind and love life, nature and the journey. They taught me so much.
I helped them know that others care about them. But I think they helped me more as I was humbled and not living in the dark any more. I now knew what life was like for a huge portion of the world, and in fact many of them are more content then people who constantly feel they need new things...if you can fill your heart and spirit like these people i met, then you wouldnt need much at all. From then on I would never take things for granted and was forever changed.
