Ali called me early this morning, and as is now our running joke, I shouted into the phone: “what do you want and how much will it cost?” Ali invariably calls on a Friday or Saturday, and that means he is hoping to take the refugee kids on the soccer team to a weekend outing to get them out of their small apartments in Albany and off of the streets.
The call usually results in my rushing out to Schagiticoke, and a convenience store called Stewart’s, which we call our “office.” We are known there, and have our favorite booth.
Our office is halfway between Ali’s house in Albany and Bedlam Farm.
Ali absolutely hates to ask for money, I think he always expects me to storm off and disappear, but I am very happy when I can be useful to Ali and these boys (and two girls), the more I get to see them, the more I love them.
And there is very little Ali could ever do that would cause me to get angry storm off, he is nothing but a gift to me, and especially to these children Most of them spent their early years in refugee camps. Many are just now learning English.
Most live with single mothers, their parents and grandparents are gone, killed or missing or in jail or a camp. Ali and I talk often about our goals for them, as the team’s official “sponsor,” i have a mystical role, they seem to think I am full of wisdom. They need everything, but hate to ask for anything.
Ali is a surrogate father to most of them, and he teaches honor, character, hard work and community.
Their parents are shy and very quiet, and very poor.
Several have invited me for dinner, and I am eager to go. They need some help too.
None of them have cars or money, they all have a fierce work and study ethic. The kids are all on the honor roll, the mothers and few fathers have multiple jobs and are rarely home. Ali and I plan to focus on the needs of the soccer tea parents in the coming weeks and months.
They all love and trust Ali.
Today, Ali said there was a funky circus coming to a town just outside of Albany. It had games, rides, donkeys and some other animals. None of these children have ever seen a circus. Ali and I both had the same thought. This is what these children, need, this is what they deserve. To see a circus with cotton candy just like almost any other kid in America can get to do.
We look for things that broaden their experience, engage and stimulate them, and connect them to other kids in America and mainstream America life. It is working the members of the team are flowering, all are on the honor rolls, learning to speak English well, getting the shoes and shirts and paints they need to wear to school.
Their parents love them, but are too engaged in surviving to do much for them outside of food and shelter. So Ali and I are trying to fill the gap.
The circus costs $14.95 – Ali take out our Iphones and pens and paper – and start adding. This is by now a familiar scene at the Stewart’s, we are just part of the scenery.
Ali wants to take as many of the 20 team players as possible, but we can’t take all of them, we don’t have that much money. I brought $300 cash for as many tickets as possible and for food and soda.
I also wrote a check for $150. The players who couldn’t get to the circus can go with Ali to see the new Mission impossible movie with Ali. He says they are dying to see the movie.
I love doing this work with Ali, and am thrilled to see the difference it has made in the lives of these children. They seem to grow every day and they are gaining confidence in their ability to live in America.
I am thrilled at the thought of these curious and warm-hearted children seeing a circus for the first time, a carousel for the first time and a ferris wheel. Ali is going to send me some photos.
Your generosity made this trip possible.
If you wish to support this work, we can always use some help. You can send a contribution to the Gus Fund, c/o Jon Katz, P.O. Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., 12816, or via Paypal, [email protected].