"The pastor tells me that the place is known as 'Children's Park.' Volunteers arrive here twice a week to give out condoms and clean needles to addicted men and women, some of whom bring their children with them. The children play near the bears or on a jungle gym while their mothers wait for needles." (Kozol, 12)
It's very sad that there are places in the world that are like this, but it's incredible how many programs there are to support people who need help, whether it's helping them quit or providing them with supplies to stay safe. This book was written in 1995 and there have been many more programs created to help people like this which is amazing!
"He seems to take his lessons of religion literally also. Speaking of a time his mother sent him to the store 'to get a pizza'---'three slices, one for my mom, one for my dad, and one for me'---he says he saw a homeless man who told him he was hungry. 'But he was too cold to move his mouth! He couldn't talk!' 'How did you know that he was hungry if he couldn't talk?' 'He pointed to my pizza.' 'What did you do?' 'I gave him some!' 'Were your parents mad at you?' He looks surprised by this. 'Why would they be mad?' he asks. 'God told us, 'Share!''" (Kozol, 8)
I can connect this to my life but in a different way because as a kid, I always wanted to help the homeless and provide food for them. I think it's an important lesson for children to learn that they should want to help others who are less fortunate than we.
"There are children in the poorest, most abandoned places who, despite the miseries and poisons that the world has pumped into their lives, seem, when you first meet them, to be cheerful anyway." (Kozol, 6)
Unfortunately, there are so many children living and growing up in terrible environments but it is so nice to hear when kids can still see the goodness in the world despite their circumstances. This whole reading was sad but hopeful. As sorrowful as this situation and story is, the positive attitude we can see from some of the people is encouraging.
A point I can bring up in class is how much hope I can see radiating from the younger people in this excerpt and how important the resources are that are mentioned. It's so amazing how many more resources there are in the world nowadays.
How to Break the Cycle of Poverty
Linked above is an article about how children can break the cycle of poverty. The most important thing to help break this cycle is to make sure they get a good education to get a good job after school.
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