This morning was the graduation ceremony for the social services computer, knitting, and sewing classes. Adrie and I arrived early to the Clinic to help set up but they had more people blowing up balloons than they needed, so we ended up bumming around for a couple of hours before the ceremony got started. It was really neat to see the normally drab Faith Alive waiting room decorated and flooded with extra lighting (and scrubbed down; the floors were sparkling!). The graduation surprisingly only got started five minutes late and turned out to be a great celebration. All the students were very dressed up, the sewing and knitting school ladies were even wearing matching fabrics in their original outfits. They were able to present each student with a certificate and the sewing and knitting school graduates got their own machines to use. Many people who have gone through these programs either get hired as IT support right after finishing or are able to open their own clothing shops. It is a wonderful way to empower people and enrich their communities! After everyone got their awards, sang songs, and presented their gratitude to the right people they served refreshments while everyone mingled. Adrie and I hung out with Joshua who enjoyed playing with my camera, taking “action shots” and “candid shots” of friends around the place. He was extra hyper for some odd reason and spent a lot of time dancing while he stalked people in the courtyard. I talked to Shola for a bit, who is very upset that I decided to go home right before his 26th birthday, and made plans to see Blessing at her shop over the next few days.
Joyce, a woman from Baltimore involved with Hope For West Africa, is here just for a couple of days meeting up with Biana and Dr. Chris. We enjoyed lunch with her and I realized after just five minutes with her that she is one crazy busy woman. Not only does she work full-time for the University of Maryland but she also “puts out fires” at clinics all around West Africa and supplies thousands of people with ARV drugs by hooking them up with proper programs. It was fun hearing her talk about her family, her three homes, and her constant traveling. I could never enjoy her life, but it seems to work well for her! She headed off to a meeting at an orphanage nearby while the three of us went upstairs for some needed R&R. My Saturdays back home are normally spent at Sugar Pine, which is where I want them to be, so I normally don’t find much time for pleasure reading. Saturdays here are my chance to sit down with a good book and listen to music. I am really going to miss that freedom!
Back to the Clinic for computer time and then back home to get ready for another night out at Hill Station. Eliasar, the Lebanese restaurant, is the designated spot to take visitors from Faith Alive. We took Joyce but had a little different crowd from when we took Jon and Kristen. Mama Oshano brought her husband and son and Dr. Chris came with the kids. I was blessed to have Emily take the seat right next to mine so we enjoyed the time before our food arrived playing hand-clapping games, singing songs, and holding her baby doll. She was dressed like a princess for the night, a large red gown with plastic tiara and matching jewelry, and decided that since I was in my boring Nigerian dress it would be a good idea to spread the wealth and allow me to look like a princess for parts of the night. Second graders have the power convince you that wearing a plastic tiara in a nice place in a foreign country will help you fit in. The food was really good (this time there were spring rolls! Hallelujah!) and we all enjoyed each other’s company. Mr. and Mrs. Oshano brought their college-aged son along and were trying towards the end of the night to set him and Adrie up. I’m always the supportive friend in those situations who does their best not to laugh or egg everyone on; I thought it was a good idea!
Back at the flat we enjoyed the blessing of NEPA for approximately seven minutes before the collective sigh and start of the generator. A large cockroach scrambled into Adrie’s room so we used our dynamic forces and killed the sucker before heading off to bed, tired and full.
It really is going to be hard for me to leave this place--but everyone here knows I will be back...
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