No way to be a teenager

Imagine a group of 15 and 16-year-old Haitian boys who lost both their parents and brothers or sisters in the devastating earthquake. They’re left to their own resources to find food and shelter. Organizations are trying to locate family members who may be living in the countryside, but many of the boys have no one. They’re also told they’re too old to be taken in by local orphanages.

They band together to protect one another. They’re excited about starting school again, so they can make something of themselves, one of them says.

I heard about these boys on National Public Radio this morning. It saddens me deeply to think about young men sleeping in makeshift tents and searching for food.  Could I invite one of them to live with me? He could finish high school and have the promise of a future.  He could teach me French, too.

When I bring the idea up with friends and family, they tell me to forget it. “It’s not possible.”  “You can’t do that,” they say.

“Send money,” one advised. “That will feed, clothe and shelter earthquake victims for a long time.”

No question about that. But all the money in the world can’t buy a mother’s love.