The Bread Boy

Rafael lives in Sister Rose's neighborhood in Chiltiupan, around the corner and down the hill one street off the main drag.

The difference one block makes in Chiltiupan is stark, though. Most homes on the main road are brick or stucco, with bright pastel paints, windows and elaborate ironwork on the doors and windows. Rafael's home, although it is two stories high, is fashioned from sheets of corrugated steel, with lots of leaks when it rains or for creepy-crawlies to come in.

As Sister Rose relays the story, Rafael started to come around to her house for visits. He was a nice, polite boy, so Sister Rose would offer Rafael a piece of candy, for which he was always grateful.

One day, Sister Rose noticed Rafael had spied a loaf of bread in her kitchen and was looking at it. She asked if he'd like a slice, to which he replied that he would, as he hadn't had anything to eat that day. Since that time, Sister Rose has a special place in her heart for Rafael, frequently giving him bread or anything else she is able to provide.

I met him when Sister Rose took our group to his home and introduced us to Rafael and his siblings. Warm, friendly, smiling, slightly bashful with strangers.

A couple of days later, during a presentation at the parish school, I had the opportunity to meet Rafael again. He reminded me so much of the kids at home in Strongsville, so I gave him a T-shirt from Boy Scout Troop 701, a moment caught by photographer Doug Bardwell in the attached photo.