First of all to our friends at home, pole pronounced “polay”, which means “sorry”, particularly for the weather you’ve experienced recently. . . I won’t tell you that we need our sunscreen daily here of late . . . the tree is decorated, the gifts are almost wrapped (Laci arrived safely with the last few bags). Kesho asubuhi we will gather with chai and watoto wingi (many children) for zawadis (gifts). Many of those gifts were sent by you and some very special ones we received from a special angel in Canada . . . The children are oh so excited to enjoy the day tomorrow . . . after breakfast, song and prayer, many will disburse to their families (Bibis/grandmothers, Mamas, Uncles/Aunts) to pay their respects and bring a zawadi of their own . . . most children are returning badaye (later) and we will remain here, catch our collective breath and prepare our Christmas feast . . . barbeque chicken, roasted ndizi (bananas), roasted pork (for Oddo!), and, wait for it . . . spaghetti! Yes! Christmas Tanzania!
Our volunteer from Australia (Emily) and I attended Langa ya Iruva (the AIDS group I support) yesterday where I received my Christmas present . . . halfway through our meeting there was a big commotion . . . Amina (Glory and Anjela’s mama had walked to the meeting to greet us! She was wobbly and needed the assistance of Mama Gift, but she made it! She is so sick, her tumor is still present and will take her down one of these days, but yesterday was not the day and she sat beside me throughout the rest of the meeting!
The children are remarkable . . . I wish I could show you just how much . . . but, I think if you visit www.vimeo.com/18122274 you may just discover for yourself . . . Asante Baba Kali . . .
There is so very much to be thankful for . . . that Mary continues to improve . . . she smiles often now and gets stronger every day . . . that little Neema and Rashid, two children from Majengo Village who couldn’t afford to get to their clinic and receive their ARV’s are now doing much better and their CD4 counts climb . . . Amina is stable . . . still sick but stable . . . the children are wonderfully happy and healthy and are learning English and numbers and more! And there is you . . . you are such a large part of Tumaini House . . . your love which manifests into support . . . I so wish everyone who has loved us this year could see how their goodness has helped . . . how the children grow, or how their schools have improved . . . or how grateful the older ones are to be attending university (Mary and Reward), or some wonderful secondary schools (Raymond, Nelson, Deo, Margaret, Anna Deo).
Thank you . . . and happy holidays . . . please know how special you are, how loved you are . . .
As Mama Kubwa (Big Mama) hapa (here) I can tell you that most of these children know just how lucky they are to have found your love and they celebrate it every day in their educations, in their play, but mostly, in their love . . . Asante Mamas na Babas . . . Asante Dadas, na Kakas . . . and Happy Holidays!
