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| Drawing in the dirt using rocks |
Children at Agape don’t have televisions, video games,
iPods, laptops, or cameras; most of them don’t even have their own toys. But they do have something far more
precious than any high tech gadget (something that many modern-day children
lack)—creative and imaginative minds.
These minds do not require technology to constantly stimulate and
entertain. In turn, the children
become active creators and learners, finding joy in their own invented games
and activities.
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| The children never tire of this jump rope game which requires some pretty serious athletic skill and agility. They make their jump ropes by linking small rubber bands together. |
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| Basketball using a human "hoop" |
Most importantly, imagination lends itself to the creation
of dreams. One young girl is
always choreographing new dance routines for her friends and dreams of becoming
a dancer. Another boy, thirteen,
hopes to become a doctor so that one day he can return to his village in Burma
and help his family.
Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will
what you imagine, and at last you create what you will.
-George Bernard Shaw
On a more personal note, I sometimes find myself a slave to
technology—i.e., I have become so reliant on technology as a form of
entertainment, that I sometimes feel like I’ve forgotten how to create my own
fun! Spending time with the
children at Agape has inspired me to look at how I spend my time and how I’ve
let some old hobbies and activities fall by the wayside (look for an upcoming
post on making friendship bracelets!) So maybe next time you feel bored and
don’t know what to do, take a lesson from the Agape children--stop and think
how you can create your own fun, rather than waiting for the fun to come to
you.
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| Above photos courtesy of Sierra Callow |
I really love this post, honey And I love the photos too. The children are so resourceful. I think that all children have the capacity to be. You were like that: making jewelry and artwork and being an entrepreneur on the street outside out house; making up dances with friends and performing them for us on the deck; your "radio" and "tv" shows with Jess; and so many other things. I also love how you really SEE the children and appreciate them. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThese comments are very inspiring Karen and reminded me of my own childhood before the advent of computer games and Ipods, we rode our bikes and used long lengths of elastic to make a game similar to the one in your blog and called it french skipping ...I heard some children on my way home the other day singing ring a ring a rosy for the first time in years and it made me smile:) Sometimes the simple things really do bring the greatest pleasure:)
ReplyDeleteWow--best post yet!
ReplyDeleteWestern Children certainly are underutilizing their creative abilities and expect constant entertainment from all forms of technology--I too find myself guilty of this. I've become very aware of this lately and am trying to reduce my reliance on tech for, well, everything. Can't wait until you return and we can go for a long hike!