The gifts of "love"... or the gifts that came from far ...

 Some images are effectively worth a million words ...

Nessinha unwrapping the present (Left). Nessinha  and her little baby doll bought with Maria João's money (Right).

Nessinha holding Pedro (left)  and carrying him the traditional African way, whilst her 90 year old great grand mother, with whom she lives is  bending down next to her (right).

Tarine with the dress I bought for her locally (Assomada) with Luisa's money (left). Tarine with the school material offered by Carla and holding a doll I bought for her (right).

Tarine sellecting the correct stickers to complete the book I bought for her (Left). Tarine showing two pages of the book completed (Right).

Simone, as she was receiving the school material and outfit Surama and Sérgio bought for her (Left). Simone with the new outfit on, holding the school material (Right).

Neuza being given the school material and outfit Surama and Sérgio bought for her (Left). Neuza trying on the outfit (Right).

Neuza with her new outfit on.

Leinira with the books, school material, doll, outfits and sandals I bought for her (Left).  Leiria reading one of the books I bought for her (Right).

Leinira wearing one of the outfits and sandals I bought for her (Left). Leinira wearing one of the outfits I bought for her (Right).

Note: The money I was given by Luisa was used for an outfit for Tarine; the money given by João was used to buy a doll for Nessinha; the money given by Manuela  was equally divided  to reinforce the existing amount for Simone, Neuza and  Justina; the school material provided by Carla was given to Tarine and the money given to Leinida, who has become her protégée.  The money given by Isabel was used for the birthday party (having Sibylle proovided the rest). The whole amount  of money collected by the "godmothers" has been given to Sibylle to pay for the school fees and whatever may be necessary for the girls.

       Leidina (one year and a half), the most recent girl to have found a Portuguese "godmother" (Carla).