Through the Eyes of a Child
"Look at me,” a young boy cries out as he plays with his new toy in a remote village in Sierra Leone. Surrounded by a level of poverty that many would find unimaginable, he giggles as he pulls the string of his homemade car, an old sardine can for a body, bottle tops as wheels, held together with a couple of old nails. I am sure that in his mind's eye, he is the race car driver, and the championship has just begun.
In the so-called advanced world of shopping malls and online stores packed to the brim with mass-produced toys manufactured in power-guzzling, environment-polluting factories for those with the wealth to buy them, some might be tempted to pity the child who has to make do with a toy made from items other would throw away. And yet, as I watched him run back and forth, his little car following behind him, his joyful laugh didn’t feel in need of pity. Would his laughter be more genuine if his toy had cost as much as many in this part of the world make in a month or more?
When did the things we enjoy become things we buy rather than make? I can’t be alone in feeling that consumerism is simply out of control. Fuelled by technological advancements, globalisation, and the sheer intensity of marketing strategies, we have created a cycle of desire and gratification for “things” rather than “memories”, often overlooking the environmental and social costs. This relentless demand for new products has not only led to overconsumption and waste but also to a significant disconnect between individuals and the true value of their possessions.
And yet, watching this small boy playing with his homemade toy in one of the poorest communities of the world, I couldn’t help but wonder if, once again, truth can best be seen through the eyes of a child, reminding us that happiness and contentment often emanate from creativity, imagination, and the simple things in life — not from the accumulation of material goods. Perhaps it's time to redefine what it means to live a fulfilled life, valuing experiences and connections over possessions, and in doing so, find our way back to a happiness that is not for sale.
