Couldn't Have Asked For More

This is so sweet!
Posted by Anthony Ramsey on Thursday, December 17, 2015

On a normal Sat morning, I was js scrolling through my fb newsfeed. Something struck me when I watched a video of a child crying tears of joy, hugging his foster parents and not letting go after opening his Christmas gift. It was a letter of adoption. He was an orphan. I teared up and immediately felt a surge of gratitude. 

Gratitude

- For a family with a loving environment

- For growing up without lacking life necessities (that includes the internet xP)

- For having the freedom of choice. Because for many, there are obstacles in their life that hinder them from making choices. Mostly due to financial constrain and family expectations. 

Being in the polyclinic in a rural area made me grateful for the things I have in my life. A teenage girl spoke to me about her dream to further her studies and work that was cut short when she married a guy (through an arranged marriage) at the age of 17. Her husband does not permit her to work so she has been reduced to performing mere household chores. She has no financial control, but sells a little of her garden produce to earn a small amount of pocket money for herself. 

In this modern era (lol sounds like i'm writing an essay for english exam) I cannot believe how a person can live in such a condition. Dreams that were cut short by a lack of farsightedness of those around her. It was as though they had no vision in life, but to just survive day by day, stuck in the cycle of poverty. I learnt that many families in the rural areas encourage their children to get married at a young age so that the burden of supporting that child is then on the husband (who is still in his teens, also a mere child if u ask me). The youngest mother my clinic has recorded is aged 13. These teens grow up with the life goal of getting married and having children. 

Flabbergasted. 

Hopelessness or helplessness? 

Perhaps both. 

I am blessed. To have grown up with the gift of choice and to have parents who had vision for my future. It's only right to do justice to that by living life to the fullest and continuing to chase my dreams.