Sarah opening her eyes, feeling the pain, motivated to work and preserve hope

 First Community Response Centre (FCRC) is opening my eyes to a whole new world of possibilities, continually reminding me that when there is injustice, you have a choice to make.   It is impossible (or highly improbable) to save them all, but that does not mean we give up hope; that we don’t help all so some can have a better and brighter future.  As best described in the famous words of the wonderful Keith Rose: “I will be all things for all people to reach some”. 

That being said, I hate that my babies in the afterschool program are exposed and immersed in the violence that plagues the community, that they could be the next child on the face of the newspaper, that they sport merchandise wearing white Barbie and Sophia the First, unable to see or believe in the beauty of their own colour.  I want nothing more than to whisk them away to a place free of the pain and abuse they face at home and school.  I want them to grow up in a world where they see their infinite potential to eradicate violence and stimulate change.  But most of all, I want them to be loved so that they do not turn to hate.

It is with these desires that I am motivated to work and preserve hope for these children, so that one day they know their true worth.  As hard as it may be not to imagine their possible futures without crying, their wide smiles and bright eyes keep me grounded in the present.  Same goes for talking about how they are the children murdered in gang-related crossfire – as depressing of a topic as it is, pretending it doesn’t happen doesn’t change the outcome.  It is only when we face the reality of injustice that we are motivated to help eliminate violence, to recognize that there is hope and humanity in all. 

Can you hear the children cry?

Do you see my little ones die?

Can’t you feel their hopeful hearts,

Even when they’re torn apart,

By a world where violence reigns,

Feeding off the vulnerability and pain?

Don’t you look into their bright eyes,

Fearing that the shimmer will dim and die?

Hating that they’ll be left with all our anger,

Forced to survive the constant danger,

Of the echoing shots that constantly ring,

Silencing the voices that used to sing;

Of the rocks that are thrown instead of balls,

Where peace and unity fail to call;

Of the drugs that poison every breath,

Sending loved ones to an early death;

Of the hollow stomachs rumbling in the night,

Where money fails to make things good and right?

How can we, can I, just stand by,

Living in an ignorant world of lies,

When the children cannot even afford to be,

Loving, happy, and perfectly free?