August 9: Okay, a small donation

Gates to the orphanage 

At the rotation of the wrist, steaming water fires out of the showerhead in most American homes. It is now an almost intuitive movement for us, something we do not pay much attention to. I have taken it for granted. The kids at the orphanage must feel the sharp mountain water every morning, and a kid who suffers from autism (constantly drooling and urinating on himself) must go through three showers on a daily basis. With a cracking voice and watery eyes, her soul finding its way through her wind-burned lips, the house mother pleaded for a 25 sole—about ten U.S. dollars—donation to provide hot water for the next two months. “Me da pena lavar los ninos con agua fria,” she said. “Me ayudas?”


“Claro,” I answered calmly.