Sam Nang

Everyone knows what it feels like to be so in love you can’t look away when you’re near them.

In the three days we’ve been at the orphanage we’ve done so much.  We picked up trashed all over, began washing everything and began expanding the girls dorm a CGA team  built three years ago.  We are adding a bathroom and more space.  While digging the hole for their toilet (a hole in the ground) really put into perspective how lucky we are.

All of the kids are wonderful but I have connected with one young boy more than any other.  I met Sam Nang three short days ago at a performance by the older kids. I held his hand all night.  The next day he helped me with everything I was doing and this morning he looked at each CGA student until he found me.  Every time we make eye contact he runs over for a hug.  Seeing him makes me want to work ten times harder.  His bright wide eyes inspire me to do more.  The language barrier makes communication nearly impossible but I can tell we share a love for each other’s hugs. He and I danced in the rain, we hold hands, play “ball” and I swing him around.  Every piece of trash, shovel of dirt, or lice bug I pick is all for him.  I do each thing for him and think of the orphanage in everything I do. 

On the tuk tuk ride home we were talking about how much we miss out parents and how much they impact us.  Then Courtney pointed out that the kids at CPO, the orphanage, don’t have parents and these bonds we share.  This made us realize how much we’re doing for these kids.

Later in our ride a little girl was walking across the chaotic road begging for food and money.  If the kids didn’t have CPO they would be the ones on the street begging for food and money.  I am so proud to be helping such a great cause.  I can see myself learning and growing so much and I am personally seeing the changes I make impact them.  In three days my life has changed and I can’t wait to see myself after three weeks.