Praia, Cape Verde - the afternoon of the 23rd of April 2012

Graça showed up at the pension to drive us to the emergency Centre, that protects both children who have been abandoned or any identified as being at risk and referred to them by court decision.

We were carrying a bag filled with baby clothes, nappies and other little things, mostly gathered by Isabel Mégre and Celeste.

Several Parliament deputies came over to accompany us throughout the visit. For obvious reasons we were not allowed to photograph the children, but that was also not the reason we went there. 

Our intention had been to become aware of the difficulties the Institution goes through, such as having had to adapt a rented house, which does not provide the ideal conditions for the children, as its responsible stated among many other obstacles the people who work there have to face daily.

We felt happy to have been allowed to participate with what little we had, as well as to have been able to briefly play with some of the institutionalised children.

We promised to go back and take whichever might be needed. It may be a drop in the ocean but it will certainly make a (temporary) difference.

May  the people who work in this institution be blessed ... because they are really committed to what they do and are willing to move forward despite the numerous setbacks.

Praia, Cape Verde - the morning of the 23rd of April 2012

The visit we were supposed to have at nine was postponed because of a Parlimentary committment on the part of the Deputy we were having a meeting with, so having the morning free we decided to stroll around the Plateau area.

 

View over the Gamboa beach and Achada de Santo Antonio, as seen from the belvedere.

The facade of the Amilcar Cabral Institute, on which some of his own words have been written.

" I have sworn that I shall give my whole life, my whole energy and all of my courage in the capacity I have as a man, till the day I die,  to serving my people in Guinea and cape Verde. At the service of humanity providing my contribution, the one which might be possible, so that the life of mankind may get better in the world. This is what my work will be about" - Amilcar Cabral 1969

The words of a committed man, who is still highly regarded as a former leader who did what he said he would, till the day he was killed. 

Integrity is still accounted for and Cape Verdians know it better than many ...

We headed towards Café Sofia, our first stop. On its inner walls paintings from various artists were to be seen. Outside ... a number of well known faces pertaining to the so called "Literary world" and a few chess players concentrated around the chess boards.

We then payed a quick visit to the local market, having shown particular interest for the fishing stalls.

As we were alking along the pedestrian avenue on our way to Quintal da Musica to make a reservation for the musical night we unexpectedly met Muna, a dear teacher from Calheta, who had come to the capital city for the celebrations of the Day of the Teacher.

On the way back to the pension we stopped at the Sucupira market, where Lurdes bought an African dress for the evening out and we ordered a dress to be specially made for Henriqueta, which we would come for later in the evening, as the Senegalese dressmaker promised to have it ready for her then.

By the time we reached the pension we were exhausted from having walked all throughout the morning, so just  got changed for the afternoon visit and sat down to eat some pizzas at the restaurant next to the pension (Ponto d' incontro), where Ermilinda, a friend of a student of mine showed up to collect a letter and some photos I had brought for her.

Calheta de São Miguel, the afternoon of the second day - The 22nd of April 2012

(...)

Not fully recovered from the surgery  I was subject to last January as soon as the party was over I had to lie down and relax until the drive back to Praia, but the children who stayed till late evening were still entitled to a studio-type photo session by the sea after Henriqueta handed out the computer to the girl who will soon be attending the Police Academy.

 

Diva

 

 Leinira

 

 Carla

 

Tarine

 

 Lou

Henriqueta

We found it dificult to leave the village and the children behind ... not knowing when we would be back, but somehow almost certain that we shall ...

Calheta de São Miguel - the afternoon of the second day (cont.) - The 22nd of April 2012

(...)

The last thing we did was to cut the birthday cakes and distribute whatever was left as far as food was concerned by the children who wanted to take it home.

None of this would have been possible without the all night long "kichen" preparation work carried out by Marlene and Dulce, as well as the precious contributions of some "godmothers" and longtime supporters (Olivia, Adelaide, Luis, Catia, Gabriela, Maria João, Bell, Paula, Maria Felicidade, Lurdes Baptista, Francisco, Mafalda, Manuela, Telma, Ana Raquel, Rita, Conceição, Eva, Henriqueta, Dina, Luisa and myself).

I owe the idea of organizing this party to a suggestion and almost request on the part of two children (Tarine, who had been to a party I  had organized in 2010 and Carla, who had never had nor been to any birthday party).

Having seen the children happy brought us all the sense of "mission" accomplished. That's what we had been there for ... and that's what we shall keep on going there for.