The Gaze of a Child

By Emily M. Volunteer in Uruguay

At the end of January we organized a summer camp for the boys in the neighborhood. We spent three days in the country, enjoying a large pool, fresh air, and the “mountains” of Uruguay. 

It was moving to see how the boys enjoyed the simple things of the camp, losing a bit of their “I’m a tough kid” attitude. On the bus ride to the camp, I sat next to a boy who was fascinated by the countryside. When we passed a pasture with horses, and later one with cows, he excitedly tapped my arm and exclaimed “Look! Horses!” and “Look! Cows!”. We have horses, cows, sheep, and goats in the neighborhood, yet for him, it was something exciting to see these animals in the countryside.

It was a reminder to me of how young and simple these children are, even though their lives are so tough.