From Money to Kisses

The cutest thing happened the other day. It is extremely common for kids, adults, babies to ask you for money. You`ll be walking down the street and someone will come up to you and say ¨Give me 10¨. They want $10. Or you can be carrying some eggs and they will say ¨Give me an egg¨. They are programmed to beg from their youngest days. Not everyone, but a lot of them.

Well there is one kid in my town who always asked for ¨10¨ whenever I see him. I used to feel bad telling him no, even though I am this ¨rich¨gringa who can afford to give him that and so much more. So instead, I tell HIM to give ME ten and I hold up both my hands for high fives. After a while, he caught on and started loving giving me fives. He would come up to me asking for ten, but this time wanting me to give him a high five. Kids here LOVE getting high fives. You always have to initiate it, and sometimes explain to them how to do it, but they LOVE it. You are giving them attention, and thats what they want most of all.

One day, about a week ago, this little boy comes running up to me and I am thinking he is going to ask for ten. He does, I give it to him. Then he asks ME if I want some of HIS bread, and its rude to say no, so I say of course. He tears off this little tiny piece, and hands me about 3/4 of his roll! I couldnt except the bigger piece, so I trade him for the littler one. Then, right as I am walking off, he smiles with his two black holes where his two front teeth should be, and asks me for a kiss. My heart melted then and there. Here is this little boy, who used to be a begger to me, who is now not asking for money, but for kisses. If we could have that same affect on the rest of Peru, our work here would be complete.