Graduation 2013

The days leading up to October 25th were filled with events from rehearsals to cleaning to painting. The entire Angel Secondary was bustling with activities as the staff and student prepared for this special day. For the graduating class of 2013, there was much excitement and anticipation, for others, there was a twinge of sadness as the reality of these students graduating finally sets in. For the kids at Angel House Orphanage, there was much pride and joy as their big brother and father-figure, William Mwita, was graduating.

For several hours of the morning, it seemed like there was always someone running some where to get something done. A glance at the graduation area, and it looked like pure chaos. Every now and then, you would hear a voice over the sound system requesting someone to do something. The graduates though, were full of smiles, posing for the cameras time and time again, trying to grab a hold of every possible person for a photo op moment.

The celebration itself was filled with entertainment. Even though the students had probably seen most of the acts from the several days of rehearsals, it was so well done that they were laughing, clapping and cheering as if they've never seen that act before. They surely are a very talented group of students! After some encouraging words from the invited guests, it was time for the awards and leaving cerificates. Angel House had a very proud moment as William was named Best in Discipline. :)

The Mwita family with William

Photo op moment with some of his classmates

William, dancing with some of his classmates to provide entertainment

School's Out!!

After a few stressful weeks of end term examinations, the kids at Angel House are happy to be able to relax and have a month off from school. They look forward to having some fun and not having to worry about school for a bit although the adults have some tutoring planned to allowed weaker students to catch up, or enable other students to keep improving. Education sure is important! 

Prior to getting out of school, the Angel House Secondary School Students had a talent show (some of the kids from Angel House Orphanage were involved) and since they hosted it in the orphanage, it was lots of entertainment for all. It included singing, dancing and acrobatic acts, soda tasting, eating competition and a "Miss Angel" contest. The audience were well entertained despite being packed in together like sardines. 

Singing 

Soda Tasting 

A packed audience 

Acrobatic Act by the Scouts 

A few weeks ago, Angel House also welcomed 2 new little angels. All the kids a pretty thrilled and are happy to be watching over them or playing with them. They were pretty timid when they first arrived but they are adjusting well and are slowly coming out of their shells and enjoying being fussed by all the older kids.  

Jackson and Neema

Neema and Jackson were brought to Angel House after losing their parents in a tragic accident. They were all on a piki (motorcycle) when the accident occurred and leaving Neema and Jackson without parents. Two of our missionary volunteers Roy and Valarie (who have recently returned to the U.S.) agreed to sponsor them if the authorities would bring them to Angel House so here they are! They're favorite things to do is taking naps and playing on the swing. They are quite the independent individuals and might sometimes get frustrated if you try to help them with the "little things". I'm sure they will get even more love and attention now that all the other kids are out of school and will be around the orphanage all day. 

An African Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house, everyone was stirring, though there was no mouse. The stockings were left in a box by the door, and soon everyone got up on the floor. There was dancing smiling and hugs big and small. It was Christmas at Angel House, for the big and the small.

To the outside world, it may be hard to get into the Christmas spirit in Tarime, Tanzania. It is possible to find a Christmas tree, a spindly, fake one. It is not as easy to find lights and ornaments for it. No houses have big displays, and very few of the businesses. Shades of red and green are hard to find, and it feels downright depressing to hear White Christmas when it is 85 and sunny.

And yet, none of these things get people down. To many, Christmas is considered a holiday for women and children, but families are together, children are celebrated, and the birth of Jesus Christ is front and center.

Out at Angel House, the neighbors from Gamasara village flocked into the main room to share Chrismtas with the kids. There were songs, there were prayers and there was dancing. Everyone danced. Kids danced with adults, missionaries danced with grandmothers, kids danced with each other. By American standards, there may have been too many people in the room, but it was cozy and family style.

Afterwards, most of the kids were still excited, cheering for the Christmas celebration tomorrow. A few had to be put to bed. When they woke in the morning, they did some chores, got in their smart, Christmas clothes and recieved gifts, gifts from America, a big deal! After they opened their gifts, they ate a special Christmas brunch of sweet mandazi and chai with milk. Oh, the life!

They trekked over to church, carefully to keep their shoes clean, and heard the story of the first Christmas. There was much rejoicing by all. There was a special blessing on all of the children, and there were a lot of children present.

The face everyone woke up to. Neema singing, Krismasi ni leo!

So excited about her new dress

Three lovely young ladies, Grace, Bhoke and Esther Melisa

Rahabu smiles wide for her Christmas gifts

Paskalia can't believe her good fortune

Bhoke is a lucky girl today

Awe, Kikwete, you look smart

Lucky Grace

Sammy and Joseph

This is how the girls get ready for church

And the boys. 

Lunch was bananas, potatoes, pineapple, pilau, beef, goat, corn and soda, all of their favorite meals thrown into one. There was enough food for everyone to have seconds and even thirds if they wanted. Many did. Afterward, everyone loaded up into the truck and went to Goldland for more soda and dancing. Goldland opens their doors to all of the kids in the community for dancing. The kids danced, and danced and danced some more, until they were ready to go home, many having a hard time keeping their eyes open. It was a Merry Christmas in Tarime, even without elaborate decorations and snow. Maybe the kids get the meaning of Christmas better than anyone.