We lost a young man. His name was Ubaldino and he was twenty. He was an orphan who was deserted on the streets when he was about twelve with a two-year-old brother to care for. And he had a terrible skin disease.
It is so hard to understand why some are born into this world to undergo such suffering. Ubaldino could not work because of his condition. He believed he could never have a girlfriend. How heartbreaking—to believe you could never know that basic kind of love.
This is difficult for me. I cared for a young man that no one would hug because he looked like he has leprosy. Every time he saw me, he came running across the street open arms and yelling, “Mommy!” Sometimes I was frustrated with him because he wanted money to buy minutes for his cell phone and I knew he wasn’t eating. But that is modern life. Children are children and they want their toys, even if it means giving up food to have them.
The problems in Bocas Del Toro, Panama are severe. They are difficult to solve. An orphan boy has nothing, but he wants to feel normal more than anything. Yes, he needs food. His belly is hungry. But more than that, he wants human interaction. He wants friends. He wants a family.
We will never be able to fix the world. But I hope that by reaching out to a young man and his little brother for a short time, maybe we brought some light into this place.
Rest in peace Ubaldino.
We love you.