Life of a Child in Africa

I meet the sweetest child, although I’m hard pressed to use the word “child.”  This seven-year-old girl walks through the patient ward carrying her baby brother on her back.  Her mother is in the hospital with a terrible illness and she must take care of both her mom and little brother.  I wonder who is taking care of her?  Yet, she sheds no tears, no whines.  This is her life. . .a life so different than the world we’re from with children crying at the grocery store aisle because they want a piece of candy or throwing themselves on the floor in a tantrum for yet one more toy.  She knows no other life and accepts her fate.  I can’t help but melt when she reaches for my hand and soon she is following me down the corridor.  I can’t resist so I give her a stuffed toy – a dog that barks when you press its ears.  For the first time, I see the child inside — she is the one grinning from ear to ear and laughing at the toy.  Over the next two days, she continues to find me and brings more friends with her.  Yes, I realize it’s not that I’m such a novelty, but the lure of gifts are great.