I Met A Little Boy...

Last week I was walking back from Green Market Square. It was pretty hot outside and we were tired from walking around the market for hours. As we walked in a group of about six, we all laughed and shared stories about how much we spent on a certain item and what we had left to buy for our loved ones. Two huge bags full of paintings, artifacts, and whatever else you could think of draped over my shoulders. I was so busy walking to the train station that I almost didn't notice a little boy asking for food. He was very small and timid. His hair and clothes were full of dirt and he was very quiet in his request. My hear immediately sank when I noticed his torn clothes and his feet coming out of the front of his shoes causing him to limp as he walked. We took him inside KFC and bought him food. After talking with him for a few minutes we realized he had 4 brothers and sister at home and he was the oldest. We bought him more food, and left him with a few hundred rand in the hopes that he would make it home safely and be able to feed his family for a few days. I was in disbelief at the amount of people who could stand by and watch a child go hungry. I felt honored to meet Austin, he gave me an understanding of what was really going on. I learned so much from that one experience, but its harder now that I have to face reality about South African poverty and know that theres nothing I can do.