Party Day
"No photos no letters could have described the level of happiness that I see before me today."
Bruce
After the grounds were paved, the stove finished and the sparkling white toilets put in, Mr. Député, as we called this cheeky 15-year old, called his mates together and made a grand announcement.
"Mama Tamara and Mama Hanitra have done so much for us, let's have a party. We need to have an opening celebration for the new stove don't you think?" Everyone clapped and hooted.
"In order to thank them let's have a feast. We will invite the minor girls, put on music and Mama Tamara and I will dance. For this party of appreciation Mama Tamara and Mama Hanitra will buy:
broiler chickens (not tough native chickens)
rice
rogai (tomato salad)
roamazava without beef because Mama Tamara doesn't eat beef
coke
AND wedding cake with tons of frosting "
Hanitra laughed, ‘What, are you a lawyer?’ We couldn't resist their adorable-ness.
‘OK, we need to pass this through Mr. Albain first.’
He agreed and we were off to the market to order:
35 kg of chicken,
50 kg of rice,
20 kg of greens,
3 huge pots of rogai,
3 cartons of coke
2 massive professional wedding cakes
The day was as happy as no other; singing, dancing, kids grabbing my iphone and taking photos of each other posing like movie stars, eating and eating and eating. Hanitra donned an apron and, with her team of seven ragged "sous-chefs", worked tirelessly at the charcoal and wood fed stoves in the blazing heat. True gentlemen, they served the food and refused to eat until everyone had had their fill.
Karim organized the entire event with the precision of an army general, insisting on fine dinner dining behavior. All of the malnourished children received two pieces of cake, we shared the extra with the TB patients and even the guards. The sous-chefs pretended they were a band, arms around each other swaying and singing out of tune; one strumming on a broom for a guitar, and another tapping the water can for a drum. Elson gave a speech to thank FOMM, while Karim spoke about the importance of gratitude. Finally, we gave Mr. Albain a round of applause for his support.
