Viviana

It is really upsetting to see kids taking care of their siblings like mothers at 8 or 9 years old. They bring them to our activities and want to participate but most barely can because the babies start crying as soon as their older sibling is out of arm´s reach. But it´s incredible how some of them handle it and how devoted they are to their families. One girl that stands out to me in particular comes to the Wednesday morning market. Her name is Viviana and she´s 9-- her 1-year-old sister comes along, and at first Viviana can barely do anything because her sister freaks out when she isn´t holding her. Viviana sees other kids her age playing while she tries as hard as she can to entertain her sister and keep her happy. She really is such a responsible caregiver. In addition selling goods alone on busses or on the streets (which she does-- Lucy says she has seen Viviana on the bus selling chocolates alone), kids in this situation have to be a parent before they hit puberty. Viviana is expected to act like she´s 30. But then you talk to her and remember that she´s 9.

It really makes me happy to see kids like this playing-- we were finally able to win Viviana´s little sister´s trust long enough for Viviana to have some fun. I really don´t mind "babysitting" if it means kids like that actually get to be kids.