The Journey: A Simple Life

The people of Happiness Home live a simple life. They do not have the luxuries that we take for granted as Americans. They have electricity on average 4 hours daily, which occurs on an erratic schedule. They do not have stoves, refrigerators, let alone microwaves. They do not have running water. Water is pumped in from a nearby reservoir a few times each week. They do not have much furniture, mainly beds and a few chairs. They squat to eat, so there is no need for dining room furniture. The few clothes they own--which are washed by hand and hung out to dry--are either folded and placed at the foot of the bed or hung on a nail on the wall.

Even though they live a simple life, one of the things I noticed about the people of Happiness Home, including the littlest ones, was the camaraderie they shared. They faithfully lived out Romans 12:10, "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." The adults worked together in harmony doing various tasks; they took care of each other's children as if they were their own. If a child had two pieces of candy, he or she would always share one piece, sometimes both. When playing the Carom board game, they would often help each other make the best shot, even their opponents.

There were no displays of selfishness or quarreling in this group of people. I couldn't tell if this was how the Burmese culture normally operated. Culture or not, these are all strangers from various backgrounds living together under "one roof." Unfortunately, one common thread binds them together: HIV/AIDS. As I post their stories in the days ahead, you will see how HIV/AIDS has affected their lives. But, for now, enjoy the pictures of their "togetherness."