This is Diketso, I met this little guy about two weeks ago and I instantly loved him. I think its because everytime I looked at him, I saw a Tswana version of myself. He was loud, funny and sometimes a little too bossy. Beyond that, Diketso's story mimics mine in every way. He lives with his mother and a few relatives, his Dad has his own life and sees him once or twice a year; he longs to know the joy of having a Father but that is the least of his worries. His reality is glaring poverty as far as his little eyes can percieve. He cannot think beyond right now because when he does, he feels the tight grip of fear of the future suffocate his imagination. See, when your reality is not having, it is so hard to even imagine a life of plenty. The power of poverty is its power to dehumanize you. Even though I cannot recall a time when I went to bed hungry, I recall plenty of times when the only food my mother could afford was bread and some low grade meat. I had shoes but not the ones my friends were wearing. I cannot fully grasp the disparity of Diketso's life but I understand the hardships of being raised by one parent with a many mouths to feed and its not easy. Thankfully, Diketso's life is headed in a completely different direction because of people who have selflessly accepted the call of God and serve him and many like him so that they have a chance to be the best they can be. I know that God has something extrodinary for his life and everytime I look at him, I still see the flame burning in his eyes...Despite his reality.
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