Children are the same all over the world



Following the Disaster Response Vans into the area that experienced the fire

THE FIRST THING I NOTICED WAS THE CHILDREN

As I watched the vans being unloaded I couldn't stop looking at this little group of girls playing jump rope. I stood on the other side of the cyclone fence that surrounded the community center where all the donations were being distributed. I found myself drawn to the girls.
I was no longer  interested in the plastic bags we had taken days to sort but in the gentle snapping of the jump  rope and the sound of laughter coming from the children. 
It reminded me my own childhood and how I couldn't wait for the recess bell so that I could rush out to the play ground to jump rope with my friends.
 Oh how I wished I could run over and join them.
There was nothing holding me back but the warning we had been given by the leader of the Disaster Response team who told us it wouldn't be safe to be alone in this community.
The community center where the donated items were to be distributed was behind a guarded gate and several police officers were standing by in case there were any disturbances when the items were being distributed.

It struck me how resilient children are
How these children were happy to have their peanut butter sandwiches,
 their friends,
a jump rope
 and a rolled up plastic bag to play with

SOME OF THESE CHILDREN MAY HAVE LOST THEIR HOMES,
SOME OF THEM MAY BE SLEEPING IN A NEIGHBORS SHACK UNTIL THEIRS WAS REBUILT
SOME OF THESE CHILDREN MAY HAVE GONE TO BED HUNGRY
BUT TODAY,
THEY WERE JUST BEING KIDS