On July 5, the group had the opportunity to visit a school in Nima. The headmaster met the bus at “The Big Gutter”, where he and a few other teachers escorted us through the streets and alleyways to the Anani Memorial International School. As I walked through the archway, a young boy greeted and welcomed us to his school. His genuine smile was familiar because it was one we received from many of the children we encountered while in Accra.
As I was walking towards the performance room, I locked eyes with a little girl, about 4 or 5 years old, with multicolored beads in her hair. She started to sprint up to me. I am not someone who ever spends time with kids, so I panicked slightly because I was not sure what the interaction would be like. Once she reached me she stopped, just stared for a second, and held out her hand. As soon as I began to reach for it, she leaned in and wrapped her small arms around my legs letting out a soft giggle. I was overwhelmed with joy in that moment. All of her love and happiness radiated through her body and I could feel it in that one hug. I didn’t want her to let go. I wanted to feel that energy and innocence for as long as possible.
The moment brought me back to when I was a kid, and all I had to worry about was what games I was going to play at recess. I never had to think about food, clean clothes, or having shoes to wear to school. I took all of those things for granted because they were a given in my life, and many of the children living in Nima do not have access to those basic things on a day to day basis. It was hard to see, but they were just happy to be at school. I always considered myself a happy kid full of energy and enthusiasm, but this little girl and all of the children at the school were on another level. It was humbling to say the least.
I knew the moment wouldn’t last long. When she started to pull away I could feel my eyes fill up with water. She looked up at me with big brown eyes and a smile from ear to ear, and ran to her next target. I didn’t think I would have an emotional reaction like that while visiting the school, but I was reminded how pure and welcoming children are especially the ones who have less. I hope she continues to love school and never loses her smile.