There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread

Coming into this as a volunteer in PPA, I did not know what to expect. I thought that maybe the kids would not have enough to eat or would not be well taken care of. I was suprised to find that all of the kids were fed well and all had their own bed and clean bathrooms. All the kids really need was love and attention. Everyday when I go see the kids, the instant I smile at one or give a child attention you can see their face light up. When you take the kids outside, they don't always want to play sometimes they just like being near you, having some human contact. Although the kids are taken care of physically, emotionally they ache for any type of human contact. We will never see a permanent change in these kids, because they need love forever, however we can see when we are with them how happy they are and appreciate that maybe for just one day we are making their lives better. Even though we are leaving today we can hope that the kids will continue to get the love and attention that they deserve from other volunteers and hopefully one day their family.

Lexi Strictland

Carpe diem (Seize the day)

Once we were ten
But today we are three
Team 90 on Monday
Jack, Gary and me.

Each morning we meet
And after we eat
We're off to our destination
Without procrastination.

The van knows the way
We go every day
Except for one day
We went the wrong way.

We circled about
That first roundabout
And found PPA's gate
Before we were late.

We gather to see
What assignments will be
Then off where the children await
Hurry, hurry, we can't be late.

The gardens need flowers
And also some showers
The rocks will give way
With some muscle this day.

Slides ready for sliding
Swings waiting for swinging
How the children run
To have fun, fun, fun.

But sometimes a tear
Or a scream we may hear
But soon they are gone
With a hug or a song.

Too soon it's time for the bus
CIAO, CIAO, goodbye from us.
Back to our lodging to eat some more
And make our plans for the next day's chore.

Thought for the day: Carpe diem (Seize the day)
Sally Keller