The five-minute film My Friend John gives the firsthand story of two boys, friends on the streets of Kitale, Kenya.   This true tale is all the more powerful for its simplicity. It is understated, yet heavy with both beauty and ache.

The film speaks for itself. But I’d like to thank its maker – a young man named Derek, one of the two boys. In sharing his story he reminded me, and many others too, of a vital truth that can sometimes get buried in discussions and debates over complex issues. Yes, to seek the best for children, we must often grapple with the hard questions over ideal policies and practices and programs. But whatever else we conclude, we must know this: love and belonging make a world of difference for a child.