Last week, as I was sitting in reception taking a break after lunch, one of the kids I have been working with for a fair bit over the last few weeks comes up to me. Our conversation follows like this:
Him - 'hey'
Me - 'hey'
Him - 'do you work here or something?'
Me - 'um yeh'
Him - 'what are you new or something?'
He had completely forgotten who I was. In one quick and clear example I was shown just how badly some of these kids have been left as a result of years of drug abuse (glue sniffing in the case of nearly all street kids). Only three days before I had been playing football and laughing around with this same boy. It is tough to think that a 14 year old kid has been mentally destroyed to this degree.
In other news, I have got dengue fever. It is not a particularly pleasant experience. I have been off work all of this week, and it looks as if next week will be following in similar fashion. Hopefully when I am back to full health and back at work, I will be able to write a better update.
About Me
- Simon Walters
- My name is Simon Walters - I work for Casa Alianza Nicaragua. Casa Alianza Nicaragua is a non-profit NGO, working to protect, support and rehabilitate children living on streets, victims of abuse, violence, abandonment, commercial and sexual exploitation and human trafficking. I work as a specialist member of staff, coordinating healthy and sustainable activities for the kids in our protection, and on the international development side of things - working with all the Casa Alianza sites in Latin America. I hold a MA in International Law and Human Rights from the United Nations University for Peace, and a MA in History from the University of Edinburgh. I am very involved in the Model United Nations, and in 2009 served as the Founding Secretary General of Mostar International Model United Nations, in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I also have experience in English teaching, coaching public speaking and debating, acting and radio presenting.
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