Earring Magic

This is Katy. She’s four years old and lives in La Chureca (see below for description). Katy is one of 40 children in our Child Sponsorship Program, which means she receives monthly supplies of nutrient-rich formula, oatmeal, multi-vitamins and unlimited pediatrician visits. Hilary and I went to La Chureca last week to take her to the local pediatrician. She needed to see a doctor about the severe rash on her little face.

When we got to La Chureca, Katy and her mom were patiently waiting for us at the clinic. Katy gave Hilary and I big hugs and eagerly told us “it’s my birthday!” Katy has this SMILE that is so huge it literally takes up half her face. When Hilary and I gave Katy her birthday card and present, Katy let out this incredible giggle- her adorable dimples and sparkling eyes lit up her entire face.

The present: the awesome troll earrings she’s wearing in the picture. Hot pink, florescent blue hair on naked trolls – basically, too good to be true. I swear, the second she put on those earrings, her confidence factor went up 100%. Katy was struttin’ her stuff, holding her head high to show off her new jewelry. Hil and I laughed as she transformed into “Miss Thang,” laughing and proud, right in front of our eyes.

Those troll earrings, however frightening they may be, were magic. They allowed Katy to forget about the painful sores on her face for a few minutes; sores that are actually caused by a bacteria, made possible by malnutrition and mal-hygiene that comes with living in the City Dump. It was amazing, for a few minutes, Katy wasn’t thinking of the red, pussy bumps on her face; she was given a moment to just be a goofy 4-year-old who’s excited about her new birthday present.