By Jinit Desai, VE Volunteer, May 2014
A couple summers ago, I studied abroad in Santiago, Chile. I was an explorer, and I discovered a new world, one filled with beauty and love. I discovered myself. My life hasn’t been the same since. This summer, I’ve come back. Except, this time, I’m not learning about healthcare Spanish and conducting clinical observations. I’m volunteering with VE Global, a small not-for-profit organization that is committed to the future of our planet. Committed to our youth. Similar to the United States, Chile is plagued with hideous inequality. A few dragons slumber upon a disproportionate amount of the citizenry’s resources. Who pays the ultimate price in a system defined by socioeconomic disparity? The kids. What is the ‘ultimate price,’ you ask? Their futures.
Duality is a theme in Santiago. The snow-capped mountains biting into the eastern sky are breathtaking. As is the smog. The public transportation system works pretty well. It also happens to be uber expensive and ridiculously crowded. The vast majority of Chileans are Catholic. But you wouldn’t guess that from a stroll in the park on a Sunday. Or the average age at which adolescents begin to engage in sexual activity. Chileans drink too much, smoke even more and live by a raft of subversive stereotypes. But, they also love their soccer, sweets and bread. They cherish their bars, clubs and besos. They love their country, and this love they share openly. Cultures tend to be imperfect, and that of Chile is no exception. In a city of contrast and conflict, it’s hard not to think about the kids at Hogar Posada del Niño.
Posada houses 19 boys, marginalized and at-risk ranging in age from 8 to 18. Each of them has suffered a unique combination of injustices thrust upon them by the faithful collaboration of their families and the system. I mentor, teach and provide support. I serve as a crutch, a smile, a laugh, a hug. I am there, for whatever they need. Amidst barrages of sexually-charged verbal insults, violence and violent threats, broken windows, dead pets and a complex network of relationships, histories and motivations, it can be difficult to stick to the agenda. Every day is different. But, every day is worth it.
No one chooses to be born. Those of us who are fortunate fall into the soft and welcoming folds of unconditional love. Bastions of personal, emotional and intellectual growth line the journey. If you’re lucky, you live and you learn. Good fortune, like all else, is not fairly shared. Not unless WE do some sharing ourselves.
Every child deserves a chance, the opportunity to cultivate their mind, nourish their soul and radiate confidence.
I may be a student. I may only be 21 years old. But, I’ve been blessed with incredible luck – both good and bad. I know what it feels like to lose everything. I know the coldness of death. I know the anxiety of poverty. I know the numbness of pain. And I know that love and wisdom, no matter how thick the dark, still shine as bright as day. When the waters get choppy at Posada, I remind myself to be patient. These kids, like all others, are works in progress. Just because progress comes slow or seemingly not at all does not make the effort futile. I cannot give up. These kids are far too accustomed to adults who do.