Dallas, TX
By Lauren Barreca
Today my heart has been feeling both very light and very heavy at all once. It was our 2nd and last day hanging out with the sweet, passionate, and energetic kiddos at Wesley-Rankin Community Center.
With the limited amount of time I spent with each child, I still had the privilege to experience a unique and personality-filled moment with each. Even the toughest, most energetic kids gave me a glimpse at their sensitive and compassionate hearts through a simple expression or 10 second conversation.
Back at our camp this afternoon, we discussed many of the realities of poverty. We discussed the cycle of oppression, and how those growing up in poverty – through no fault of their own – often are trapped in the cycle. We also discussed the approach usually taken in our society of treating the symptoms and not the cause of poverty.
This is the reason my heart is both heavy and light today – because these beautiful, passionate, and sensitive children are growing up in a system that could easily trap them. And after being gifted the opportunity of being with these 15-16 kids for the past two days, nothing is heavier than that thought.
My heart is light as well however, as change is possible. These children are not necessarily doomed to the effects of a broken system- but it’s going to take a lot more than a few days spent playing alongside them. It’s going to take sacrificing time and resources spent on frivolous things, having difficult conversations, and supporting and creating legislation that seeks to fix the cause and not only the symptoms. None of these are impossible tasks however, and I’ll end with a hopeful quote shared by one of our trip leaders.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Mead