Chapter 15: The Children
Similar to other countries in that part of Asia,
homeless children present a great challenge to the
people of Cambodia. Without any doubt, the
Shining Lotus Orphanage was a loving
shelter—its loyal staff dedicated to giving them as
much care as humanly possible.
Slowly Maria entered, carrying a basket of hot
banana bread tucked neatly inside. The room became
very quiet. The boys and girls lifted their heads as
soon as they sensed someone had come in.
photo by:
Mr.
Charles Pieters
photo by:
Alessandro Vannucci
Who was this beautiful lady?
Glancing at the entire room, the most noticeable
thing that Maria saw were all the large-brown eyes
staring back at her.
Indeed, Maria’s heart seemed to melt the instant all
the children looked up at her. One little girl,
perhaps too young for school—or perhaps not even an
orphan but simply one of the children from the
neighborhood—also looked up at Maria. Again,
majestic brown eyes peered at her through the open
door.
Placing the basket of bread on a table, Maria walked
over to the door where the little girl sat
staring—her hands definitely in need of soap and
water if she was going to have some bread with the
other children.
“Hi, my name is Maria. What’s yours?” At the
same time, she stretched out both her arms with
palms open—but she stopped a good eight inches from
the little girl, letting her decide if she wanted to
make friends or not— and sure enough, she did.
Like mother and child, the little girl let go of her
rocks and held out her arms, fully trusting that
Maria would pick her up. Neither of them were
disappointed. With her new friend in her arms, Maria
walked over to the rest of the children and said
hello. The teacher then reached for the basket and
proceeded to give everyone a piece of warm bread
while Maria looked at the beautiful necklace around
her little friend’s neck.
