We have had some pretty amazing days here in Romania, but I think I am going to have to say today was my favorite.
Today we went back to Sami’s and somebody had the brilliant idea to split the kids into groups and take them into the city. The objective was to teach them to use our cameras and have them take pictures of architecture, the river, people, etc. My group ALMOST followed directions…
Instead, I treated them to a day out in the city with my good friend/ translator, Simona. I have never seen 4 boys so excited to go “out” in an area 5 miles away. We had so much fun posing for pictures, running around the parks, eating sweets, and bonding. Seriously, a blast.
However, in the midst of all this good the bad kept interfering. At one point I was almost brought to tears. I have never experienced racism or prejudice firsthand, but I did today and it was absolutely heartbreaking. We took the boys into a café/ ice cream shop and I turned around to find the owner literally shoving the boys outside. As if this wasn’t bad enough, a grocery store manager did the exact same thing a few minutes later, complete with waving arms and shouting histerically. I had to stand in the street holding back tears with 4 humiliated gypsy boys as Simona went inside to buy them ice cream. How could anyone treat another human being like that? Especially innocent children?
Once it was brought to my attention, I couldn’t help but notice the hateful stares and snickering, but nothing could bring down our day. Walking back with the boys bouncing and chatting around us, Simona asked me, “Can you understand what they are saying?” I replied no and she said, “They are saying this was the most beautiful day of their lives.”
I can only pray that that is what they always remember about today: two girls that love and adore them and who don’t care about the color of their skin or the stereotypes of their people.
But I guess that is what we are here to do, right? Make the best of the worst situations and share love always.
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