SANTA MONICA CHILDREN'S VILLAGE
Tia! Tia! The laughter and yells filled our ears as we entered Santa Monica Children's Village in Iquitos, Peru. Santa Monica houses babies, children, and teens who were abused, given up, or had deceased parents. Sitting down in the village center waiting for the kids, we were feeling uncertain and nervous not knowing what to expect. However, our nerves diminished the moment a young boy ran up to Ally with the biggest smile and hugged her. At our previous villages, it was an expectation to be as hospitable as they treated us.
However, at Santa Monica, this affection was so organic. They were not told to greet us with this unwavering kindness, but they did.
This little boy sent me into a spiral of thoughts. How could his family just give him up? Why was my life given to me? It made me feel selfish for not living every moment to the fullest and taking what I have for granted. I had everything this little boy wanted, a loving family and attention, and I still wanted more.
Going forward I will try to lead a life driven by this newfound purpose and push myself out of the “normal” outline of life.
"A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there."
by PRESLEY KRYWKO
"Life is only as black and white as you make it,
so why don't you just add more color."