“Look closely and you will see a little girl”

Hi there,

This is a hard blog for me to write.

I went out last night for dinner and then a few drinks. I was having a nice time and heading home around midnight. I walked along the street towards my home and looked over at a young boy walking beside me. He turned away and headed off a little way down the street. This little boy moved a whole bunch of boxes off the sidewalk. Under these boxes, I was a little girl sleeping on the sidewalk. She sat up afraid of the boy moving her boxes and sat there with tired eyes. She was probably around 6 years old.

I didn’t know what to do. I walked over and asked this little girl if she was alright. She looked at me a little scared and didn’t say anything. There is nothing that I could do. It was late and there are no shelters around that I know about. There are many kids around late at night and there is no reason why they would take this child over any other. So, I just smiled at this little girl and had to leave her there.

Tonight, I understand how people can give up everything and start an orphanage or centre for street kids. I understand the feeling of not being able to do anything and wishing I could. I couldn’t get this girl out of my head last night. I couldn’t help but think that this little girl should be at home. She should have someone read her a bedtime story and tuck her under warm blankets. Instead, she lie on the dirty road under boxes with drunk people passing her by. This world has gone crazy.

Love Gerry

PS: Tomorrow, I will tell you about one place in Siem Reap that is working to help street children.