Throw away babies

I was married in 1967.  My life up to that point had been like a fairytale. Life was simple, easy and fun from the moment I arose each morning until I went to bed each night.  I wasn't spoiled and was willing to eat and wear whatever was given me.  I never complained, and I was never bored.  I also had no idea what was going on in the poor sections of my city, the rest of the country, let alone the rest of the world.  I truly had a carefree childhood.

Over the last 40 +years my eyes have been opened.  I have been educated through travel and a lust for learning about the world through books.    I have been drawn to the atrocities in the world before my time, during my time and at the present, particularly concerning women and children.

Did you know that the Cultural Revolution that went on in China in 1967 persecuted those who were educated and they were severely punished?  I just read a wonderful book that takes place in China at this difficult time, the main character is Benfu, a teenager who was sent to a commune, then imprisoned, beaten, harmed, all because his parents were educators.  Then one day a young boy (he hardly knows) risks his own life to send Benfu off to freedom.  Just one act of kindness changed the world, at least Benfus world. 

That boy becomes a man, marries and becomes a trash collector.  As you may know baby girls are discarded and abandoned in China because of the “one only child law” and the heavy emphasis on the value of boys.  Benfu finds these baby girls in the trash, and he keeps them, him and his wife feed them, clothes them, and provides them as much love as they can, even though they themselves were living in poverty.  Over the years he found 24 abandoned girls, mostly babies.  Some die, most live, those that die, knew that for a few days or weeks they were cherished and loved.  This is a story about family, loyalty and love.

Here are a few values that are taught in the book:

You can’t judge a group as a whole by the actions of one or a few.  There are good and bad in all groups.

Never let pride get in your way if you need help.  Don’t deny those you love a better life because you can’t admit you need help.

One good deed can change a life, as well as your own.

A full life does not require material things.

If someone waits until they are financially sound to have children, there wouldn’t be much procreating going on.

 The book is called “The Scavengers Daughters” by Kay Bratt and is based on two caring people who found and cared for abandoned baby girls.

 

Like  Benfu, I hope I will always risk my comfort  to better the life of someone in need especially a child.