The children had been somewhat prepped for our visit and had memorized little phrases about what they wanted to be when ‘they grew up.’ One little girl was nudged to stand in front of me and delivered her line: “I want to be a nurse.” It brought tears to my eyes. I can’t forget her little face, her ‘sleepy’ eye, her dusty clothes, her utter sincerity.
It is highly unlikely she has ever seen a nurse or knows what a nurse does. If she has, she would have little idea what the pathway ahead would be to achieve that goal. But why not? Why should that little child not have the opportunity to be a nurse, for her village, for her community and for her country? Why is her life so difficult when for many in the world that is an easily achievable goal? That little girl keeps me motivated.