What about the children?

Amidst the violence, the discussions, arguments, town hall meetings, and conferences we often forget them. The children. Our future. I ask myself this every time there’s a conflict between the grown-ups. What about the children? Is anyone thinking about them? I keep asking myself as I view scenes on the news of men “recruiting” children to battle their fights. Does anyone hear their silent pleas?…

Fed to the Hyenas

By Joanna Abaraoha Imagine being a 12 or 13 year old girl who just started menstruating. Your family congratulates you on entering into womanhood and tells you that it is now time for you to learn how to be a good wife. A few days later you are sent to a man, a “hyena” whose job it is to sexually initiate you; your first sexual encounter is to be ceremonial, without your own consent and…

July 2015 will always be a special month for me. I had the opportunity to travel to Jarabocoa, Dominican Republic as one of the Mobile medical interns for Volunteers Around the Word. My teammates and I traveled to six different communities and provided free medical checkups to over six-hundred patients. With the help of the program's doctors and physicians, we measured vital statistics: blood pressure readings, analysed blood sugar levels, took height and weight measurements and temperature to the patients. Also, we diagnosed and prescribed the necessary medicine the patients needed.

Before I traveled to DR, I didn't know what my purpose was. I just finished my sophomore year in uni. I felt depressed because I thought everyone around me knew what they wanted to do in life but me. I didn't know where to start. Through word of mouth, I heard about Volunteers Around the World and their upcoming trip to Dominican Republic. Something in me told me I had to go. I persuaded my father and he finally agreed. It took a while but he agreed. This was the first time I ever traveled outside the country by myself and I was terrified. Heck, the month before I couldn't even take the bus myself but I knew I had to go. With the help of my friends and family, my trip was paid for. It was time. I didn't know most of my teammates but after the first few days I felt comfortable around them. The first day at the clinic was so much fun. I had scrubs on and I felt legit. I knew this was where God wanted me to be. The program's directors taught me how to check glucose levels and take blood pressure readings. I didn't want the day to end. I met so many beautiful children my heart couldn't take it. I'd walk up to any child and say "hola! cómo está?" Some of them were shy and would walk away but some went on to speak full blown Spanish to me. I would smile and hug them because I barely know any Spanish . (I need to work on that Lol) I tried to take as many pictures I could to truly capture my experience.

And thoughts become things |