They Ain’t Heavy, They Are My Children

This song keeps ringing in my ears, “He ain’t heavy, he’s my brother”. Only this time I should change it to “they ain’t heavy, they’re my children”.

I just came back from a meeting with the people who filed complaints about our street children project, “the dreamhouse”. These people objected to have street children in their neighborhood. They consider their neighborhood as clean and well educated community, and that the street children would be a real hazard for their well being. A man even said that the street children are not yet humans, that they should be humanized first before being let to interact with this honorable community.

They summoned us to this meeting to hear our answer about their complaints, but it appeared that we were not there to be heard. We were there to witness the pride and arrogance of men, and the foolishness of them as well. It is a 100 percent “Get out of here”, that no words were needed anymore, not even the soothing words of the “Lurah” and “Babinkamtibmas”.

Thanks to the so called elders and leaders of the community who had shared some sympathy, but still, this song keeps ringing in my ears. They ain’t heavy, they’re my children.

The Song

The road is long with a many a winding turn,
That leads us to who knows where
who knows where.
But I’m strong
strong enough to carry him

– He ain’t heavy
he’s my brother.

So one we go
his welfare is my concern

No burden is he to bear
we’ll get there.
For I know he would not encumber me

– He ain’t heavy
he’s my brother.

If I’m laden at all I’m just laden with sadness

That’s everyone’s heart isn’t filled with the gladness
Of love for one another.

It’s a long
long road from which there is no return

While we’re on the way to there
why not share?
Yes and the load,
the load does not weigh me down
down at all

– He ain’t heavy
he’s my brother.

Sam-el Ladh

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