He's only a three year old boy.

Nicky is a little boy with a big smile and big, open eyes.  He draws you in immediately with his personal magnetism, proceeding to engage you in his young and enthralling conversation.  As you are around him, you have to keep reminding yourself that he is still only a three year old boy.  Where did such a boy come from? 

His parents are Sri Lankan, having fled their country due to personal safety threats.  This led them to Thailand to seek refugee status.  Since being here, they have had their little boy who has never been inside Sri Lanka. His parents are both intelligent and competent adults, taking up so capably the challenge not just to survive but to live.  They have created ways ahead in the midst of their own traumatic story, never having been defeated by all the hardships and disappointments that have come their way.  So many of us would never know half of what they have gone through in their time here. 

So that is where Nicky comes from.  It is no wonder he is who he is - a little boy full of life and just so bright and happy.  He is loved by all at the Bangkok Refugee Centre.  Just recently, he started what we would call kindergarten and he now appears in his school uniform.  He looks so cute. He may be three but he can confidently speak to you in English, Thai or Sinhalese. 

In the midst of a small but desperate and ravaged population that is my urban refugee community, and some community it is, there are many signs of hope.  Nicky is but one.  He may only be a three year old boy but he sure shines forth a heap of hope and that is what this community needs.  And isn't that what we all need?