What I wanted was to tell people I had volunteered in an orphanage. Now that I was actually here, the whole idea of my volunteering in this country seemed ludicrous.
-- Conor (Part I, chapter 1 paragraph paragraph 56)

Importance: Here, Grennan admits to the reader that he does not have the best motives at heart when starting out. Deep down, this experience is for him, not the children. He wants to improve himself, but is not really thinking much of the people he is supposed to be helping.

They are very resourceful, these children. You will find they do very much with very little.”
-- Farid ( Part I, chapter 1 paragraph paragraph 128)

Importance: This quote sums up much of what the book is about. The children make up games with nothing more than a rubber band ball. They eat nothing but rice and lentils. Their lives are very simple. If there is something lacking, they make up for it in other ways.

It was stupid to go. This...
-- Sandra (Part I, chapter 1)