A Single Story

What do people think of when they hear the word “needy”? Does a certain image pop in your head of a stranded child on the side of the road? I have had the pleasure of traveling across the country to help the “needy.” I had accepted the same thing you would imagine- kids sad and unhappy with nothing to do. When I arrived in the big city of Toronto, Canada, I was hunting for the kids desperate for my help. I was shocked to find they may have been “needy” but they were the happiest kids I had ever seen. We brought various common toys for the kids such as a jump rope and chalk, making the children ecstatic at the thought of new games. They were so excited to play with us; they never once acted sad or unhappy with their situation. I had a Single Story about those children. I started into the trip with a sad mind, picturing their depressed little faces, but I walked out with guilt of those stereotypes.