Children of the Street

photo by Kimberley Miles
"Children of the Streets. They're there but no one notices them....."



It is amazing how many of our children are living on the streets in this country. You read about this in many poor underdeveloped countries, but you never think about it being in your own backyard. It is sad to think of this happening anywhere, but it is frightening to think of it happening here in America. A place where so many come for opportunities to better their lives and the lives of their families both here and abroad.



There is a story that I read just this morning in the Los Angeles Times about Khadijah Williams who has been homeless her entire childhood and now she is off on a full scholarship to Harvard University. As much as this is a wonderful success story, there are quite a few things that few of us see. Her transition from the streets of California to the Ive League halls of Harvard along side so many privileged young people. There is no doubt that she can stay focused on her studies, because she has proven that in the worst situations, but what does she internalize in order to keep that focus. Then there is the situation with not knowing the whereabouts and well being of the two people that she loves the most, her mother and her younger sister. How much guilt will she feel for leaving them behind, and especially if anything happens to them, or if her sister's life turns out much different than hers. This is a story that I would love to follow and watch her in this transition, her growth and the demons that she has to slay along the way. We can just hope and pray that she will be ok, and when the time comes that she is able to help her mother and her sister that it is not too late.





Update
Oprah has gotten a hold of this story and tells more of what her life has been like since starting Harvard. You can check it out here.