In the bustling heart of a small Ethiopian city, amid the vibrant chaos of the market's alleys, I stumbled upon a poignant tableau. Three teenagers, their faces etched with concentration, huddled together on a street corner. The world rushed by, but for them, time stood still as they engrossed themselves in a game of checkers. It was a simple yet profound moment, where the cacophony of life around them faded into insignificance, and the essence of childhood joy and connection emerged in the most unassuming setting.