Tommy and James came back to visit us today. Their weathered faces tell of the hardships they have gone through, but they tried to cover it with a punk like hairstyle and reclining on their old rusted bikes.
Mustering all the courage they had, they asked "Do you know where is Tim
(another streetkid). For those who are not familiar with tribal street children, this is not really a question, but a way to initiate a conversation. Both knew that Tim is in Chiang mai but that was the best way they knew how to "justify" their visit while masking their shyness.
It was amusing. Seeing that the boys are still the same. But it was really great seeing them again.
Both James and tommy were amongst the first batch of streetkids ever to walk into the programme. Both street children from broken familes and got really messed up in glue sniffing.
We took both these boys in when they were around 12 and gave them a home and the encouragement necessary to get them back into school. They stayed on the programme for 2 years and successfully got cleaned from drugs. But later they felt that they wanted to experience the world firsthand and thus left the programme prematurely, much to the heartbreak of the staff and care givers.
Since then they have never returned. Until today!
It has been 2 years since they left, but their names and faces are still etched deeply in our hearts. Seeing them today was very heartwarming, knowing they have taken on decent jobs and left the streets.
In the course of our conversation, James looked down and whispered, "I'm just a petrol pump attendant"
I smiled, looked him in the eye and told him I was proud of him, that he chose to make a honest living. Though it is not a high paying job, but that was the best he could do with a primary 6 certificate.
His next lines warmed my heart. James silently said "I wish I hadn't left the programme". In his eyes the look of regret. Knowing James, that was his way of saying "Sorry, I've let you down"
I smiled as I told him that there is nothing to regret, but rather how we choose to lead our lives from here on. His eyes beamed and there it was again, the sheepish grin from the boys.
Just seeing the boys coming back was really encouraging, knowing that our hardwork, prayers and tears haven't been wasted after all!
Mustering all the courage they had, they asked "Do you know where is Tim
(another streetkid). For those who are not familiar with tribal street children, this is not really a question, but a way to initiate a conversation. Both knew that Tim is in Chiang mai but that was the best way they knew how to "justify" their visit while masking their shyness.
It was amusing. Seeing that the boys are still the same. But it was really great seeing them again.
Both James and tommy were amongst the first batch of streetkids ever to walk into the programme. Both street children from broken familes and got really messed up in glue sniffing.
A picture taken many years ago. With James in kaki & Tommy in black.
We took both these boys in when they were around 12 and gave them a home and the encouragement necessary to get them back into school. They stayed on the programme for 2 years and successfully got cleaned from drugs. But later they felt that they wanted to experience the world firsthand and thus left the programme prematurely, much to the heartbreak of the staff and care givers.
Since then they have never returned. Until today!
It has been 2 years since they left, but their names and faces are still etched deeply in our hearts. Seeing them today was very heartwarming, knowing they have taken on decent jobs and left the streets.
In the course of our conversation, James looked down and whispered, "I'm just a petrol pump attendant"
I smiled, looked him in the eye and told him I was proud of him, that he chose to make a honest living. Though it is not a high paying job, but that was the best he could do with a primary 6 certificate.
His next lines warmed my heart. James silently said "I wish I hadn't left the programme". In his eyes the look of regret. Knowing James, that was his way of saying "Sorry, I've let you down"
I smiled as I told him that there is nothing to regret, but rather how we choose to lead our lives from here on. His eyes beamed and there it was again, the sheepish grin from the boys.
Just seeing the boys coming back was really encouraging, knowing that our hardwork, prayers and tears haven't been wasted after all!
