It Doesn’t Take Much

Posted on behalf of Erin Fitzgerald.

Some of the happiest people I've met have next to nothing. They live in tiny cramped shacks, some sleeping on mats covering the bare dirt floor. They cook over an open fire and have to walk down the street just to obtain running water. They have few possessions – some clothing, a few kitchen items, and perhaps a few chairs. They get by on so little.

Despite all the obstacles they face, impoverished families manage to find the most indescribable joy in the smallest everyday occurrences, from their child’s smiles or flowers planted in a rusty old tin to a handwritten letter from their child’s sponsor.

Beauty can be found in the most unexpected places in impoverished communities, and neighborhoods in Chile are no exception.

While some parents living in poverty can barely read or write, the wisdom they possess transcends books and diplomas. They understand what’s truly important in life, and that’s appreciating what they do have – their children.

When it comes down to it, it doesn’t take much to be happy. And it really doesn’t take much to make life easier for an impoverished child. Some school supplies….cold medicine…a new pair of shoes. I’m proud to work for an organization like Children International that makes each day just a little easier – and happier – for people who are among the poorest in the world. And it’s exciting to know we have so many dedicated sponsors who are always willing to pitch in and help.

Sponsorship gifts like a warm new blanket give impoverished children a reason to hope.

Every time I find myself upset over something insignificant, I recall the families in our program. Thinking of them keeps me grounded and reminds me each and every day how fortunate I am and how to find happiness in the smallest things.

Photos by David Nebel and Clementina Chapusha.