I was making my evening run to the ATM when I was approached by a little guy no more than 8 or 9 yrs old. In his hands were bunches of bananas. They looked like they just came off a tree in his yard. Trust me they were not Chicita brand!

I wasn’t interested, but clearly he was there to earn some money. I reached in my pocket, pulled out a few kwachas and told him, “no thanks, but here’s something for you anyway.”

Again this evening, as I left the ATM, there he was. I know he’s been trained to watch the ATM’s near the hotels. And I wonder just how late he’s there.

This time I just said “hey banana man, muli bwanji! I don’t need any bananas, but here ya go!” This time I tried to be more generous.

This is not about my gifts to him. It’s about the fact that I so long for a world where 8 year olds don’t have to be out after dark selling bananas. I pray for his safety as he does what he has to do to survive.