Zenans

There is a boy at Shule ya Msingi Mahrupanga (the school we’re working in) whose favorite animal is tembo (elephant). This boy’s name is Zenans, and he is 10 years old. Zenans has had a much more difficult life than his peers in Tanzania, for his little body is twisted up like a pretzel. His legs are contorted, and his right knee is almost at a 90 degree angle; and when I hug him, I can feel his spine’s S-shaped curvature. However, when I look at Zenans I do not feel pity, because he does not ask for it. He uses two small sticks as crutches and it is truly incredible how quickly and easily he gets around! The whole group had noticed him at school.

Yesterday was our second workshop with the middle age group, and it was a beautiful, smooth, fun, and light-filled day! What made the day so special to me was that Zenans was in my resource group. He fully participated in every activity we had planned for the day, and he did so with grace.

Part of the workshop is to do heart sharing about our dreams and aspirations for our selves and the world. When it was Zenans’s turn he held the moyo (heart) in his hands and for a moment there was a profound peace that settled over my group.
I could see the Light in his eyes as he thought carefully about the wish he had for himself; he said that he wished he would go to secondary school, and that there would be peace in the world.

Looking into Zanans’s eyes is something I will never forget. Two days ago I bought a necklace in town with an elephant pendent on it. I was going to keep it for myself, but I knew that Zenans would love it more, and I would love giving it to him more than wearing it. I brought the necklace to school, and during break from the older children’s workshop I gave it to Zenans. Again, I saw his eyes light up as he smiled.

John Morton says that he is friends with a doctor who does surgeries on crippled children around the world. We took pictures of Zenans and I am holding the Light for him to receive the surgery that could change his life forever!

-Lio (Elliot)