How are you doing?

I had supper last night with the national champion of Uganda in the 100 meter dash named Kevin. He was orphaned at the age of 7. At his parents funeral, Kevin along with his siblings was sent to live with different relatives. He longed to be together with his own family again. It was a hard time, and some days he thought how his parents must be in a better place.

In these difficult circumstances, Kevin prayed for God to give him “something to do”. When he was 15 he took back his own brothers and sisters and opened an orphanage for other children as well. Currently, his sister is running the home back in Uganda with 64 children living there, while Kevin studies at the University and waits to join the Ugandan Olympic team.

The circumstances in Kevin’s life forcefully uprooted him from his life and family and left him as an orphan. Without minimizing what Kevin has gone through, the experience of being forcefully uprooted, seems to connect a lot of people in this world at a human level whether they are refugees or orphans like Kevin.

Likewise, Kevin’s sense of responsibility for his family and siblings makes him similar to many refugees that I work with. There is a purpose and a goal that lies beyond his own success in life. I see this value everyday I meet refugees when often the first question is “How is your family?”
Maybe this compares to the American greeting and question, “How are you?” However the difference to me reflects an important outlook on life that many refugees and people like Kevin bring to society. They have the capacity to see beyond themselves and the desire to contribute to the welfare of others.

I do not mean to say that someone like Kevin can do no wrong. However, I do think there is a greater future for someone who can see past themselves than for the one who’s view of life begins and ends with themselves and their own gain.

Keep your eyes open for Kevin from Uganda during the Olympic games.