There are children everywhere. Some are coloring popsicle sticks, others are stringing beads onto necklaces, while others still are playing games with the visitors who have come. Each one is preciously made, full of life, and represents hope for the future.

We have spent the last two days working at an elementary school. I can’t really call it work, though. I had just as much fun as the children did during the crafts and game time. Each child was given four popsicle/craft sticks to decorate with markers and plastic jewels. The craft sticks were then glued together to form a picture frame. All the members of our team worked hard instructing, drawing, coloring, gluing, and lining up the sticks. Deborah and Sarah also worked hard taking each child’s picture and printing it off so that it could go in the frame. Once the frames were done we helped them to make necklaces from lanyard string and colorful beads.

While I got to help with each of these things (except the picture taking and printing… I left that to the professionals!), I mostly spent my time tying the ends of necklaces and enlisting my camp counselor experience to dance and play games with the children. We were able to do the Hokey Pokey, I’m A Little Hunk of Tin, Moses Says (think Simon Says), the Big and Small Game (a wonderful game introduced to me by our lovely translator, Tola), a slightly altered game of Duck Duck Goose, and Ring Around the Rosy just to name a few.

After working with these beautiful and wonderful children, I learned about their lives at home. The Methodist School asks for a $5 a month fee for those students who can afford it. Many cannot. The other school where we worked asks for no tuition, because the children that attend there are the poorest in the area. Each school is divided into three sessions: 1 group in the morning, 1 group in the afternoon, and 1 group in the evening. The evening group comes at that time because many work during the day with their parents.

I wish I could do a better job of explaining what the past two days have been like for me. It has been such a blessing to work with such wonderful children and teachers, but so heart breaking to see the level of poverty many of these children face on a daily basis. I am blown away at the level of support for these schools though. People are investing in the future of these children. I hope to do the same.

As you pray today, remember the children, parents, teachers and others with whom we have worked. Also, remember our team as we experience and learn from everyone we meet.

-Caroline, Candler School of Theology ‘13