Children -- Gifts of the Spirit

by Margaret Woodson Nea

Seeking a quiet place, a woman Walks slowly along a dusty path away from the noisy, bustling life of her village. She walks alone. She comes to an acacia tree whose shade will protect her from the scorching heat of the sun. Dressed in layers of brilliant colors, she unwraps her kanga and spreads it out on the ground. She sits down and listens attentively. She waits. Slowly, in her head the faint sounds of a melody begin to form, flowing naturally into her whole being. She stays still until she hears the new song in its entirety. It is the song of her unborn child.

When the young woman senses that the song is complete, when she feels deeply its melody and words and rhythm, she stands up. With the afternoon light fading, she begins to walk back to her village, her child's song echoing in her mind. Later, she finds her beloved and teaches the song to him so that the two of them can sing it when they are joined together in love, inviting their child to come into being, to enter with them into a family.

Thus begins the story, as ancient as time itself, of a tribe in Africa --- the story of a song that foretells the birth of a child. It conveys the tribe's distinctive way of honoring each child, of respecting every child's uniqueness. A child's birth day, in the tradition of this tribe, is the day

when the thought of the baby first appears in its mother's head, when the melody of the baby's song first emerges.

As the story continues, the mother-to-be sings the song over and over during the long months of waiting. Daily she sings to her baby in her womb. She takes time to teach the song to the birthing attendants, so they can sing it as the baby is being born. Hearing the melody and rhythm of the child's very own song, the newborn is welcomed into the world.

The villagers, young and old, men and women, are taught the child's song as well. So whenever the child falls down, or cries, or is hurt, someone in the village will pick him up, hold him close, and sing his song to console him. As the child grows and matures, his song continues to be sung to honor the special times in his life --- a rite of passage and also a marriage celebration. Finally, at the end of his life, lying on his pallet taking his final breaths, his song is sung to him one last time.

At the heart of this story is the value placed upon every child. In any community, when children are honored, the society benefits. It is said in Isaiah that "a little child shall lend them." Children guide us toward what really matters in life. Wise cultures throughout the world recognize the importance of loving a child.

In the remote, rural communities I have visited in recent years, from the dusty plains in Kenya to the Himalayan mountains in Nepal, children are loved. They sit quietly in a mother's lap, nestle close to hold a grandfather's hand, are cradled gently in a grandmother's arms, are held high on a father's shoulders. In every country where I have traveled, I see a small girl, as young as five, caring for a baby all day long, carrying a brother on her back or balancing a sister on her hip, while their mother works. Children are integral to every aspect of village life --- working alongside their parents in the nearby fields, carrying water, preparing meals, tending sheep, participating in community ceremonies.

In their everyday lives, these children have to face harsh realities. Aside from the love of their families and communities, there are immense hardships: lack of basic nutritional needs, lack of clean water and clothing, lack of health care and education. Yet the children are remarkable in their ability to transcend their outward conditions and reveal an inner light, a grace, a tenderness. In the ordinary moments of their days, they seem to overflow with feelings, sometimes extreme shyness, other times boundless exuberance, at times a poignant vulnerability, and at others a compelling vitality.

Living under circumstances that force them to mature at an early age, the children often appear old before their time. Their eyes are windows to their old souls.

My journey has taken me to many developing countries: Kenya, Ecuador, Haiti, Mexico, India, Nepal, and Guatemala. I travel by plane, truck, and by foot with World Neighbors, a nonprofit organization that works in eighteen countries where basic survival is a constant challenge. Deeply committed to serving people who exist in a troubled world, World Neighbors strives to strengthen the ability of the rural poor to combat their own particular problems of hunger, disease, and poverty.

In the corn fields, in the clinics, in their homes, the villagers greet us with open arms and hearts. They have anxiously awaited our coming, embodying the philosophy that "every visitor is a blessing." We gather together to talk about the challenges they face. With great pride and dignity, the people discuss the skills they are learning with World Neighbors' assistance to analyze and cope with many of their problems. Listening to their stories, I hear about their daily lives and also about the ancient traditions that have permeated their culture for centuries. I marvel at their generosity, zest for life, wisdom, and sense of community.

Photographing the children in remote areas is a privilege and a joy. In many cases, the children have never seen a camera, and they laugh and giggle and squeal with amusement and delight. Their infectious spirits have a transformative power. As I look into their faces through the lens of my camera, I see the world with new eyes.

Each time I make a journey, I go with an open heart, not knowing what I will learn but knowing I will come away a deeper, richer person than before. Lao-tzu has said, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." I have been led to "begin with a single step" then, through faith and often risk, have added thousands of additional steps on a personal journey of the heart.

This book is a visual expression of the children I have met along the way. Each child has a unique story. Each child is memorable. Each child is particular in time and place yet reflects a spirit that is universal.

My photographs seek to honor these children, to preserve and celebrate their lives. It has been extraordinary to be with them, trek with them, dance with them, eat meals with them, innoculate sheep with them, laugh with them, and hear their songs. Moved by the power of their poems and prayers and holy rituals, I am honored that our lives have touched. Their very presence is a blessing to me, and the gifts of their spirit profoundly enrich my life.

Margie Nae of Richmond VA is a photographer for World Neighbors. Her book, Children: Gifts of the Spirit is available from Faith @ Work.