Calheta de São Miguel - the afternoon of the first day (cont.) - the 21st of April 2012

(...)

I was beginning to get worried because I felt we wouldn't have enough time to call onto all the children apart from not having met some of the ones we needed to invite for the birthday party, and although I didn't show my concern to my "adventure companions" I had already begun to work out another "strategy".

The next girl we came across was Ana Bina, who was not only surprised to realise she had "another godmother" but also with the contagious enthusiasm displayed by Henriqueta (mother of  the new godmother), as she literally covered her in presents.

We had to "shorten" the distance so we ended up following the girls up and down rather difficult paths where quite a few children and animals were to be seen ...

Eveline Natalina was next. She also had already received her birthday presents, so this time she got some photos and a letter from her "godmother" Bell, as well as the oficial invitation for the birthday party the following day.

 

Then we called in at the sisters Sonia (below) and Jessica  (underneath) to hand them out some presents sent by their "godmothers" (Telma and Dina respectively). In the case of Sonia some extra birthday presents and in Jessica's a new outfit for the birthday party the following  day. Although Jessica didn't show the same "enthusiasm" as Sonia's I confirmed she had loved it but didn't know how to react to "happiness".

 

 

Liliane Rosy  was the next one to get the presents her "godmother" Teresa sent her, as well as the official invitation for the birthday party. She looked us deep in the eyes whilst holding her presents, having chosen to unwrap them on her own.

We then moved on to try to locate Eduardo, Kevin, Veinilson and Justina but it was in vain, so we hurried towards Juliza's as the sun was starting to go dow ... and as in Africa it does go down abruptly, we hadn't much time left.

A little girl approached me whilst her mother kept on saying she really liked me, though I had the distinct impression of never having seen her ...but the truth is that by this time I was too tired to even be able to think back.

 

I sighted Juliza among a group of women and children and she looked rather surprised and shocked to see me but soon came running towards us. She got the doll she had asked her "godmother" Isabel Mégre for and against all odds  went silent, even when it came to "voice" a message, but her beautiful smile lit her whole face when she finally got hold of the doll.

 

(to be continued)