Happiness and Love

When I decided that I wanted to come to Cambodia it was because I wanted to help. I had and still have a drive to make other people’s lives better. I thought that traveling to a developing country and working with less fortunate children would be a fun way to give. Although, before coming to Cambodia I was unaware that this experience would help me so much. I am helping the kids physically, while they are helping me physiologically. Witnessing everything in Cambodia has put my life into perspective. After seeing the way the kids live, I realized how lucky I am. I can see now that I am fortunate to have a washing machine and clothes dryer. I have taken my air-conditioned house and my soft carpets for granted all my life. Having a varied and large selection of food is not something that everyone has. Living in an area with a trash-free ground and clean air is truly a blessing. My living conditions are fantastic; I am so lucky and now so thankful. In the same way, I have learned that happiness is a choice. No matter how much bad, there is always good. My friend Ravey, who I had a translated conversation with, had a hard story to tell. About two years ago, her father died of high blood pressure so her mother had to start working. Workers in Thailand have higher incomes than workers in Cambodia. Ravey’s mom decided to move herself and her four children to Thailand. They didn’t have passports so they snuck across the border. One day while Ravey and her two older brothers were working, police showed up and discovered that she and her brothers were in the country illegally. Ravey and her brothers were imprisoned for one month. The prison was one big room with about 200 prisoners. According to Ravey they were fed small portions and some people died of malnutrition. After they were released in Cambodia, they snuck back into Thailand where their mom and younger brother awaited them. Ravey, her mother, and her two older brothers had been working for about a year when Ravey’s mother decided that the situation wasn’t working. She thought that Ravey and her younger brother should be in better hands and have access to education. They found a great home. CPO is nice because it gives the kids the chance to attend school. Ravey says that she and her brother are happy now because they have access to good education and are not hungry. After her mother dropped them off at the orphanage, she snuck across the border again to continue working with the older brothers. Ravey was so open about her inspiring story. She told it to me without holding anything back. This made me feel so close to her because in order to share such personal and harsh information you must have a strong relationship. She showed happiness is a choice. Despite all the hardships that girl has faced, she is still so joyful. She greets me every morning with a huge smile and I have never seen her frown. She comes up to me and shouts my name while pulling me into a bear hug. Ravey is so excited and happy all the time, it is truly inspiring. She has taught me that all of my problems are small. That with every challenge there is brightness. Something positive can come from every situation. Ravey was grateful for everything that had happened to her because it got her to a point in her life where she has the chance to go to school. I will take this lesson home with me and apply it in my everyday life. No matter how big my problem feels or how many times I think that bad test score ruined my life I will remember to focus on the bright side. If I want to be happy I can choose to be happy every day. The kids have helped me understand what love is. They have shown me that you don’t need to know someone for a very long time to know that your love is true. I have been shown that if you really love someone, that love should be unconditional. No matter how many mistakes these kids make I will always love them. I have realized that although we don’t speak the same language the children and I understand each other. We don’t need to tell one another we love each other because we already know. You don’t need to talk to someone for hours and hours to know how they feel. You can show your emotions through actions rather than words. They have shown me how real and pure love can be. It can happen so quickly and leave a lasting impact. I will always remember these children and keep them in my heart. I can only hope they will keep me in their hearts too. I have only known these kids for about two weeks, yet I have learned so much from them. I love them more than almost anyone else in the world.