Michel was the heritage.

A child I once held in my arms closed his eyes for the last time today. His soul faded into an innocent dream and in that dream he will remain.
Michel did not wake up this morning. His light, his smile, has faded. His laughter that once filled the orphanage has become an eco.
We exchanged gifts- he once built me a racing car out of a tuna can and soda caps. In exchange I gave him a soccer ball. He believed he had the upper hand in the exchange and so did I. How strange that what I perceived as precious and unique, an orphan saw as mundane.
I still have his race car on my desk. So simple and precious.
I am angry. Angry at myself for not being by his side, angry at the people who will never know his name, angry at how there are 800,000 orphans still at risk. I realize however that my anger is useless. There is no one to blame as in Africa it is the reality, a norm.
You may be shocked by the fact that I’m saying that an orphan’s death is a regular occurrence, unfortunately I’m just being honest. We as Canadians are privileged. If you live in a war zone or developing country, you are not. I am tired of being politically correct but even in my anger I know we are making progress. We are making a difference and every day more orphans will wake up to find a better tomorrow. Just not Michel.
I am not a spiritual person and am emotionally reserved. This is not the best way to live life, but it protects me. Today it does not. I wanted to share- not for me but for Michel. He deserves to be seen and remembered.

I will never show sensational pictures, I only show the power of hope. Michel is this that power. His smile will not be forgotten.

Aydin Matlabi