To my best friend, Sam
The impact of one boy's caring response
By Mona Kelly, O.L.M.
Summer 2005
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Sr. Mona Kelly with some of the approximately 40 children who attend the Margarida Alves kindergarten, part of the Community Family Development Program in Planalto do Pici, Brazil. These children, with the support of some of you, our Canadian friends, receive a nutritious lunch each day. For most of them it is their only nourishing meal.
Luciano, his two sisters and their little brother Lukinho at the community library, a favourite place to visit. Planalto do Pici, Brazil.
I feel quite sure that Sam, an 11-year-old Canadian boy, was not really aware of the difference he was about to make when he handed me his savings of $44. I had told him that where I live in Brazil there are children who don't go to school because the family cannot afford the necessary books. I told Sam about children who have never in their lives received a Christmas present. Hearing this made him very sad. It was difficult for him to understand the great gap that exists between his life and that of some other children.
When Sam asked me to use the money to buy something for a child here in Brazil, I said: "Well Sam, what will it be, school books or a Christmas present?" He said: "Both." I thought of 14-year-old Luciano who comes daily to our Community Library with his two younger sisters and his little brother Lukinho. There isn't much joy in their lives. One day I asked Luciano if his father was working. He said: "Yes, but he drinks all the money." The father's monthly salary would be considerably less than Sam's savings.
Since the staff at the library know the family very well, they suggested we use the money from Sam to buy something for all the children and offered to take them shopping. Even that was a first for the children. Being experienced and thrifty shoppers, the staff managed to get at least one item of clothing for each of the children, a doll for the girls and a small toy for the boys. Last, but not least, on the shopping list were items needed for school.
When I met Luciano's family a few days later at a Christmas party in the library, they had a new look about them. Luciano was delighted with himself. He was very impressed, knowing that a young boy in Toronto had provided the means for him and his family to make this Christmas special. He wrote a thank you letter to Sam and addressed it, "To my best friend Sam."
Sam's caring response shows us that one person can make a difference. With his awareness, this young boy made a decision to help change a sad situation to a pleasant one. His actions can be an inspiration to each of us.
Sr. Mona is a member of the archdiocesan team working with street children, other young people, women's groups and homeless adults.
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