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It's now Boxing Day. Thanks for the Christmas messages.
I had one of the best and most rewarding Christmas Days ever. Put simply, we all know why we can be cynical about Christmas - it's easy to harp on about commericalism and expectations not being met, family's being forced together and feuding etc etc. This was the opposite experience. A bunch of orphans with little or no expectations, other than slightly better food (chicken, pilau rice, cabbage) than usual (ugali and beans). So when we gave them a brightly coloured goodie bag of stuff each, they were more than happy. The candy in it didn't last the day, of course, despite their big breakfast (about 10 donoughts each) and lunch.
Naturally, being brought up in the Catholic faith they all went to church on Christmas morning. The priest wasn't particularly inspiring, the Vietnamese priest who conducted the Christmas Eve service was better. But, to experience Christmas Day, in Church, with loads of kids, in Africa - well, what can you say? I felt moved. Especially when i turned around and in the row behind me was little Joseph (appropriate name i know). Earlier in the morning we visited his house, met his family and gave him a pair of brightly coloured Adidas Football Trainers. I had bought these in Oxford Street with the intention of giving them away as a prize. Realising when i got here that it would be too good a prize to give just one kid, I decided to give it a community kid instead. He was dumfounded, shellshocked, while his mother sang my praises and kept saying "karibu sana" (most welcome).
I cannot remember if i said this in a previous blog but after coming out of my most recent hospital visit, I walked into Kuleana Street Children Centre and gave them a donation of 100,000 Tsh (around 50pounds) with no fuss and just a simple 'thank you' from the receptionist. The remaining money i came with will fund a trip to Tunzu Beach for all the kids this Saturday. I went on Christmas Day evening and had an enjoyable and very relaxing evening, winning my pool games, playing with a local labrador, and talking at length to Katy Stormer (19 yr old volunteer from Wisconsin - the place sounds less than interesting and full of insular people) while Lorna got off with some Indian guy. Got driven home for free, firstly by a crazy, drunk Russian lady and then by a Siekh.
The planned DVD is continue to grow... hopefully i will be able to get to work on it soon after getting back (don't worry Dad, i won't spent ALL my time hunched over the PC), with a view for a release date sometime in February. Cannes in March, The Oscars next year!! etc etc
Anyway, tonight an Egyptian is offering to buy us all dinner at Hotel Tilapia (view as pictured). So i am just off there now. I will post again before the New Year, for which I am planning to go to a different church, with Tom, in the morning and Tunza Beach in the evening.
Phil
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