The Market

Saturday afternoon we went to the market so the kids could buys some clothes. They were each given 150 MZN, about $4.80. The market we went to was the one near JP’s house and the roads were even worse than the other day. We had to drive through two sections of moving water and the erosion was insane. We got stuck in the second one and as always the community is there to push you out, granted they want money for their work but still it’s an event when we get stuck.

I’ve come to realize that the House or Center is like a bubble. Yeah it’s Africa, but it’s this safe little place that feels like home to me. When I’m in places like this village that is when I realize I’m really here! Julie loves to take Mack with her on our adventures, so today was no different. Mack is the nicest yellow lab, but the Muslims in the area believe that all dogs have venom in their teeth and so they are afraid of him.

When we got out of the truck this little girl picked up a handful of dirt and threw it at Mack and then she acted like she was kicking him twice. As we would be walking people would look at me and Julie kinda curious, and then they would see Mack and there expression would change. They would take two steps to the side, some kids would even turn and run. Also, while we were standing still I noticed kids inching toward me and when I would turn away I feel them rub my arm. By the time I looked back they would be running away rubbing their hand on their face. I started sticking my arm out to let them touch or to shake their hand but I think they were all sure I would rub off on them. 

Eventually when we started walking they wanted to hold my hand. So I walked though the market with as many as five kids holding my hand, wrist, finger… whatever they could. This one little girl kept peering in front of me to my other hand and giggling, by the way they were reacting you would have thought I was famous.

We had to wait for some kids so we sat on this cement step for a bit with our entire entourage there must have been 25 or 30 kids, some of them ours, some we met in the market. My little hand holders sat and stood all around me, including a few girls behind me. Just like with my skin they kept sneaking touches at my hair. I pulled it down for them to play with. They really didn’t do much they just kept smoothing it down and trying to tuck it behind my ears. I just remember being that age and how much I loved playing with hair.

We had a long walk back to the truck and we were escorted most of the way by out entourage.  Once we got out of the market two kids from the house came up and grabbed my hand out of the village kids hands. Not in a mean way but kinda like they were saying “okay, you’ve had her long enough… it’s our turn.” They eventually let go of my hands but I like to walk in the back of groups, not sure why I’ve just always done that. I guess Amido was concerned that I was gonna get lost, so he kept coming back to grab my hand.

I’m so glad that I’m able to be here for so long. I feel like some of the kids are ready to open up the second they see you, while others take weeks to let you in even the slightest bit. A few weeks here just wouldn’t have been long enough, and it breaks my heart knowing that my seven weeks will eventually come to an end.

The older guys have been harder to get to know. I’m not sure why, we just haven’t talked as much. The tides are however changing. Ernesto wanted to make friendship bracelets so the two of us set out to do so and before I knew it the other three joined us. We talked about the funniest stuff too, Sumate has a girlfriend and so we got on the topic of marriage and it was just funny to listen to these four guys tease each other and fill me in on the ongoing jokes. Who would have thought I would have bonded with these guys over friendship bracelets and a marriage discussion. It’s funny how often I forget that these guys are still in High School. They act so much more mature than any 18/19 year olds I know in the states and they have so much more responsibility. They work at the Center, while going to school full time. They discipline, love, care, encourage and live life with these boys. I asked once if they thought that too much was asked of them and they were all looked at me strange and were like “no.” They have all chosen to be here and they actually moved from Maputo (the capital) to work with The Dream Project in Pemba. 

It's funny how many times I think... oh my timing here is perfect! The Maputo guys are just another reason. They arrived late December early January so we would have only crossed paths and they are working on writing support letter and so I have been able to help them with their typing/grammar and add in some pictures. I'm just remembering that when I was talking with them and Julie about their letters and we were talking about how much they are trying to raise... they thought that $200 a month was to much. It was hard to try and explain to them that $200 isn't much to most Americans and that they weren't asking for to much money!