What do I want people to know?? Our little brother smiles with a twinkle in his eye when he greets us and says “Hermanita.” Kids don’t look their age anymore. That the 19-year old who is just learning to read is really smart and a dedicated learner. These kids treat us with respect because we respect them. It matters when you tell a kid you see them. On crummy days I think of a 17-year old who used to have a sheep that could open doors to make me smile again. Everyone has a n

“Hey Paco, is your older brother around?” We call down to the young 12 year old. Paco lays on an old mattress halfway under the bridge. His hair falls over his eyes as he holds a bottle up to his nose and inhales the glue that makes him forget the hunger, cold, fear and loneliness he faces each day. He smiles as he sees us and climbs up the concrete incline of the canal as he gives us high fives. “My brother walked to the market… I will go with you!” He tells us as he falls i