Calheta de São Miguel, Cape Verde - the evening of the 15th of September 2012

(...)

Evening soon came and as it would no longer be possible to hand out the presents in the village I asked some of the mothers to come around to the pension, together with the children, once I would be easier to continue the distributing process and the photographing as well. We managed to distribute quite a few, though the number of mothers and children in and out of our pension bedroom were higher than the ones we ended up distributing as there was a power cut which didn't allow us to further continue doing what we had been doing.

I had to ask some of the mothers and children to come back the following day after either the church mess in the morning or the birthday party in the afternoon, because with the candle light it was virtually impossible to register the moment of the handing out of the presents and money.

 

Leinise (left) with the new dress in front of her, whilst holding the new doll. Leinise and her mother holding the presents and the money sent by Beta  (right).

Ineida (lef) with the new long-sleeved T-shirt I bought for her. Jefeson holding the new car and clothes sent by Carla, whilst his mother is holding Carla's photograph.

Erica (left) holding an extra birthday present sent by Noëlle, whilst Rosana (right) his holding some extra presents sent by Carla Brigida as well.

Mena (above, left and right) holding the wrapped up birthday present sent by Silvia and showing it with a huge smile on her face.

Ana Helena (left) and her mother holding the money she was given for the school and Diva showing the disposable camera and a photo frame with her photo sent by Lurdes.

Josefine (left and right) showing the new birthday dress, the earrings and the card sent by Cecilia.

It took some time for the electricity to be back, but when it did Marie Hélène, "her" little Jocelyne (who would be spending the night with us) and I finally sat down to have some dinner.

By the time I got myself ready to go to bed I was already semi-asleep, not to mention exhausted ..., never had a bed seemed so "appealing" ...