Hope for the best

In 2008, I started working as a camp leader in the French slums. These kids amazed me more and more every day. They brought into my life so much wisdom and gratitude for everything I have.

One thing I learnt from them is that the time you give and the love you share with others is much stronger than any money you can offer.
 
When I was looking at these kids, I was wondering how such little bodies could be filled up with such big hearts and energy. This one thing that makes them so special is I guess the key of happiness - I call it Hope.

And here is the little secret: Hope is the only light in the dark that makes someone rise up again and get confidence enough to face the impossible.

These kids enlightened me. They were my stars by night, my sunshine by day and the flame in my heart to keep enjoying myself. They changed my perspective about Life. What I considered half empty is now half full. Being positive, understanding, patient and respectful are for me they keys to embrace the world.
 Life is not about religion, color, sex, age or money. Life is about Love.


A smile to a homeless person, a hug to a child, a kind word to someone who is sick. Any gesture and attention is priceless. No need for words when the heart is speaking. And here is the miracle: you don’t need to move a mountain to change people’s lives. All that is needed is time and love.

          “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye “ 
                                                                       Antoine de Saint Exupéry

I used to think that things don’t happen randomly. There is a meaning in the fate that has been given to us.We do not choose our family, nor our backgrounds. That said, decisions we make can sharply change our lives. At the end, we only get what we give.

Traveling around the world, I realized how connected we are - we live the exact same human experiences anywhere in the world with the same feelings : joy, fear, anger, sadness, love. We are mirrors to each other . Why not help your reflection getting a better image in the future? I think of the other as myself. I don’t want to live in a world led by ignorance and indifference. We need to face people to be aware and grateful for what has been given to us.

Actually, being thankful is the magic trick to enlighten your life. Realizing this makes even me happier day after day.

Hope is now my past, my present and my future : 
I hope to let my past behind, to cherish every present days and  contribute to rebalance the world in the future.

I will keep dreaming. Because there is Hope.

                          "Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible."  
                                                                                Helen Keller

Written by our summer volunteer