11

I was busy helping the omega kids settle into the new wing we had set up for them. The excitement of the past few days had given way to a quieter, more focused energy as we worked on making this new space feel like home.

It was becoming pretty clear that the idea of home was new to them. Most never had a bed or their own toothbrush before.

I figured that out when I had to show a group how to use one after seeing a little girl trying to brush her hair with it.

The more I discovered, the sadder it made me.

Sad and totally pissed off that they were just dismissing kids like this.

As I moved from room to room, helping with beds and organizing belongings, I noticed something just as troubling. Most of the kids couldn't read, and many only spoke broken French, if they spoke it at all.

Several knew enough English to make their needs known but little else.

I realized why Teddy spoke French as much as he did and had so easily taught it to me. He was doing the same with the omega