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I asked Oliva if they make special exceptions for the kids with no family. Oliva looks miffed at my question since we ARE a family. And you know what she tells me?
"Tomorrow I will be caned if I don't have the black shoes."
Let me lay this out for you. Let's say you're an orphan in Africa. Your family has fallen victim to AIDS, or a 20 year war in the North... you are alone. Millions of others just like you will die of malaria, be murdered on the streets or starve to death.
And if the only thing you've ever wanted was to go to school and learn to read, color and have a friend – to belong – you'll suffer anything to get it. When you finally get to school, your teacher tells you…
"You need what?" I asked again.
"Black shoes," Oliva says.
They've got to be kidding about caning her, right? Has she not been through enough? I wrote home to Colorado, and due to the generosity of our supporters we received BOXES of black shoes...much to the indescribable joy to Oliva and the kids at the house. |
