This is one of my “Favorite Students” in my yellow class at the Green Gecko.
This is my same “Favorite Student” at night.

Hello,

There is young girl is in my class at the Green Gecko. I really love to see her every day. She usually has a big smile. Some days she comes to class and is not interested in studying. She is just a normal teenager, but different.

At night, this young girl is out begging on the streets. I often run into her late in the evening. sometimes I walk over to a place where she usually works and check on her. She is usually with her mother and father near the pub street. Her mother and father (who has no leg) try to sell books on the street. The mother also carries around a tiny little baby and asks for money to fill the baby bottle with milk. My student holds the other younger brother and asks people for money.

When I meet the children on the streets, I usually get mixed reactions. Most give me a hug. Some appear to be embarrassed about what they are doing. Some try to lead me away from meeting their parents. This night, I got a hug from this girl. Her mom came to me trying to get money from me and was pointing to the baby sleeping on the wooden box stand. My little student look like she felt awkward with her mom trying to beg from me. I said”"no no… I’m her teacher”. I could quickly tell that it didn’t really matter, because she held the baby bottle right up in my face and asked for money. I think my student was embarrassed. I quickly said goodbye to her and told her I was excited to see her in class tomorrow. Can you imagine being in your early teens and having to deal with all this? How can you still manage to smile? How can you have the motivation to study in class? How can you have hope?

I’m torn about the Green Gecko kids. I’m not sure whether it is better to fully take them out of this environment or leave them in it and provide them with support. The children at CCH appear to be more well adjusted and thankful. Those children are completely removed from their situation. I’m not sure about the best way. I need to reflect on this more.

Regardless, my heart goes out to this young friend of mine. I hope that somehow she can get out of all this mess. Thank you to the Green Gecko that is giving these street children a chance to have a bit of a childhood and some hope for the future.

Her is this same girl from the classroom picture above, as she works in the evening. I took this picture around 1:00am in the morning. She was at Green Gecko first thing the next day. Amazing strength in a little package. Seeing these children at night, has been the hardest part.

Love Gerry