Another Man's Treasure...

I’m not sure if I’ve said it or not yet, but it’s so great being back! I’m seeing little changes in myself and some of the kids. The first morning I stepped out of our room, I was greeted with a sea of “Good Morning, Mana Amanda” or “Bom dia, Mana Amanda!” Most of the greetings came from the neighborhood kids many of whom had never really acknowledged me and now they were shouting greetings at me with big smiles on their faces (remember people don’t emote here as much as in the States). Every time I came out of the room, someone greeted me. I said something to Nunu and he told me that he was trying to teach them manors, that it is polite to greet people. Wow! That is awesome!

Some of the greetings have faded, but every day, every afternoon and every evening I’m greeted by someone. And it’s really nice, it makes me feel more welcome.

When I walk to the shop around the corner, some of the kids yell out “Manda” where as they used to just call me “Coonya” meaning white person. One of the girls who now knows my name is the little girl who I took this picture of back in July. When she would just look at me and run away laughing. I think her name is Gefing, but I can’t remember if that is correct.

I’m working to learn more names, but it’s slow and hard. Names are so unique, I’ve never even imagined some of them and I couldn’t even begin to spell. I gave this one boy my extra rice one day and then I called him back and tried to ask him his name in Portuguese… he told me it was Gracious (like Thank You in Spanish). The look on my face must have read utter confusion, but I quickly just tried to smile. A few days later, I asked again and got the same name, so meet Gracious!

Many of the young children only speak Macua, the tribal language and they don’t learn Portuguese until they get into school. So I’m still trying to find out what his name is!

A few days ago, I was headed out of our yard. I was only going to the end of the street, which is only 30 or 40 feet away, so I was alone. As I walked out of the gate, I saw 4 small children. Their eyes lit up when they saw me. A few even jumped with joy and began giggling!

As I continue walking, I see a few more children become excited. I’m pretty sure one child even scolded another and told them not to be so obvious, stand back a little, chill out… something along those lines. But today it’s not me they are excited to see. It’s what I’m carrying.... I have 3 small plastic bags in my hands. My bags are not empty, they are not full of candy or toys… they are full of garbage.

As I throw the bags into our little garbage canyon, I can see the children trying to hold back. Excited that 2 of my bags didn’t fall very far. I can tell they are trying to wait for me to turn my back and walk home. So that is what I do, I don’t look back. I can’t. It’s just to heart breaking for me. I pretend to be oblivious.

I don’t really even know what it is they are looking for, I know they like empty bottles and rubber gloves. Some sort of never before seen treasure? I’m sure they think I throw away good food. But I don’t, at least not in this trash. I’ve had to change how I throw things out. I’ve learned what to offer up before it hits the trash… at least some things like plastic bottles. And we give all our extra food away, we even ask children if they can wash our empty peanut butter jars. Nunu put me on to this, because they LOVE peanut butter but it’s better to ask them to clean it than offer the leftovers.

I know in the States recycling is big and most people have multiple containers for trash these days But I would guess that ours differ from yours.

We have a special garbage for food (it helps prevents maggots in our trash, YUCK!). Each day that gets thrown out, it’s usually a small bag the size of a large man’s fist. It usually has bananna peals, the little black thing where you pick the tomato off the vine, onion skin, burnt pop corn, eggs shells, chicken bones and just whatever scrap of food that needs to be thrown out.

The little kids are so intrigued by all of our trash, that if we have a rotten egg or something completely bad that the kids might try to eat. I ask Nunu to go throw it away sneaky like, because they don’t watch him as close.

 I have another bin that I put all medical waste into, rubber gloves, tissues, used band-aids and Q-tips. As we have one child who is HIV positive and I never know the status of the neighborhood kids I bandage. I keep this separate and plan to burn it… I’m just not sure where yet. Burning is the only option as in the past I have thrown rubber gloves out, only to find a child later in the day with a blown up rubber glove. While I’ve never been one to burn trash, here it is a safety precaution.

I also have a small box for when I find shards of glass. One day after bandaging what felt like my millionth toe, I decided to be proactive. I look for glass in our yard and along our street and I pick it up. I’ve asked the kids to bring me all the old light bulbs. One day when I have a bunch I will smash it up and dig a hole and burry it, or put it in the foundation of a building (which is what we did last time).

Our last and main garbage is for all the boring papers, wrappers, and what not.

I think part of going through our trash is that many American’s or visitors do throw away good things. Like water bottles or old peanut butter jars. But I also think part of it is curiosity.

Seeing this combination of curiosity and need, just compels me even more. A few time I’ve just gone out and sat by the water well, where the kids often hang. I try to take pictures, which they love. I played ball with them one day… not soccer, just keep off the ground. Each time they hit they ball in the air, everyone yells “YAY!” We play till the ball pops… when a ball cost 34 cents you don’t expect it to last long =) 

Red ball cost 34 cents, but the joy is priceless!

YAY!