Pride on making a difference

The ultimate goal for my encounter was to engage life with people. Spending 6 weeks in PramPram which was a small coastal village, gave me a chance to reaffirm what was most important in living-- the ability to touch lives and be transformed in the process. I would say that teaching was rewarding in itself, helping foster kids special connection with the written word. But the smiles at the end of a day, the enthusiasm when I encountered them in the street; the friendships forged with fellow faculty and the headmaster were treasured gifts. What did I accomplish? More than raising funds to build toilets, more than stories gleaned and written-- I found something missing in my life that was lost thru the routine of daily living. The 3rd world is a misnomer-- there is happiness and pride found in fishing, daily task and sharing the stories of who we are.... I would go back in a heartbeat!