Sunny's Choyce - Infinities Edge Global Trekking

Annie’s Gift  Finding the children from Annie’s foster home in South Africa By Sunyata Choyce “Are these all your kids?” the woman at the sales checkout asked.  I looked at the five foster kids with me that I just picked up from their new home.  They were all staring at me with big smiles on their faces as the lady asked her question.   What was I supposed to say?  These kids just suddenly lost the only mom they ever knew a few months ago.  Her name was Annie. I called her Auntie Annie. I winked at the kids and said to the teller, "Yes these are my kids, all Annie’s kids are like my kids”. Tears welled up in everyone's eyes.It was then the woman in the shop realized she hit a nerve with us all. Perhaps I should have somehow given her a heads up that these were children with no parents, whose foster mom just died. I mean what was I supposed to say “No these are not my children, there nobody’s children” ? ...

The children start to bring each other... The line grows and grows with children. They know their friends are sick or hurt in some way so they get in my first aid line with their friends to see if someone can help.  We were told at the start of the day well working here at a small community project (Freshstart) in Smutsville, South Africa that Meningitis was running through the community; but they choose to stay open for the children anyway. I agreed. An hour in, with many children attended to, I finish bandaging one boy with two big gashes on his legs.  I looked up and I now find a sea of kids waiting . I was so focused on what I was doing and trying to pay authentic attention to each child that I did not notice the growing line. Today is hot, very hot, and sweat is just pouring down my face. As I put on yet another pair of plastic gloves, I ask if there is another volunteer to help as well. No, everyone is busy. There are not enough volunteer...