This morning I saw God Grew Tired of Us, a documentary about the Lost Boys of Sudan.
The story follows Sudanese refugees from their Kenyan camp to their new homes sprinkled throughout America. The most interesting parts of the film are watching the 'boys' adapt to their new surroundings.
They don't understand that the butter cubes on the airplane aren't for eating alone ("Tastes like soap!"), that the door should be kept closed when using a public bathroom, and that Americans don't always speak to one another if they're strangers.
What they do understand is how to earn a living, work hard for a better life and value their friends and family.
Although the movie is focused on showing what these Africans can learn in America and benefit from its opportunities, it really shows us how much we benefit from helping decent, honest people make a life for themselves.
The postcscript shares their successes including college degrees, positions of leadership and evidence of 'giving back' to the communities they came from.
As a country, we should do more of this. Helping people help themselves.
It's the right thing to do.
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