It was on a voluntary mission that I decided to go to the war stricken Sierra Leone. When I finally got off the bus in Freetown I was shocked to see three little children aged less than five years begging for alms in the hot sun. Suddenly I realized tears welling up in my eyes. Sensing that I may offer some alms, our guide instructed me not to give them money as they will be encouraged to beg rather than going to school. However, I could not overlook the plea in their innocent eyes. I walked to them, bent down and gave each of them a packet of food I have carried in my bag for myself. Their eyes gleamed with joy. I couldn’t believe that such a tiny gesture could mean a lot to those children. Their eyes continued to haunt me for several months.
