As promised, Noel Laly Albert and Ezzra Moussa arrived at the Maradi Guest House just before 9 on Wednesday morning. It was about 50 km to the village where Fatima now lived. Apparently her father had recently left her mother and taken Fatima with him. Part of the route was back along the main road in the direction of Niamey, but we soon turned off that road on to dirt roads, then tracks that seemed to meander in all directions. How the driver knew in what direction, on which track to go, I don't know. We drove through several villages, honking the horn to scatter children and livestock. Finally we reached Fatima's compound, where she was standing outside waiting for us. She is a lovely girl, and she was dressed in a traditional costume. What I hadn't seen in the photos that World Vision had sent me over the years was that she had tribal scars on her cheeks, as did many of the other children and adults I was to meet. Fatima and a man who was initially introduced as her father, but who it turned out was actually her uncle, led us through a series of connected mud huts to a central courtyard where Fatima and I were seated side by side, with Mr. Albert on my other side.
I was introduced to the village chief, and to Fatima's uncles, and her father' other wives, before her father arrived and more introductions were made. We were surrounded by about éà little children, and numerous other adults. Mr. Albert made a speech on behalf of World Vision, the village chief made a speech, Fatima's father made a speech, and then it was my turn. I said how honoured I was to be there, and how much I had enjoyed sponsoring Fatima, and thanked them for welcoming me into their community. Then it was time for the gifts, and I gave Fatima the book about the countries of the world, showing her in particular the sections on Canada and Niger. I said that I hoped when she looked at it she would remember me, and that it might help in her school work. Then I gave her the fantasy novel set in Ottawa, telling her that although it was a fanciful tale, it was set in the city where I lived. I gave her the little toy tiger beanie baby, and the stickers, and the pens for school, and because she said she wanted to be a nurse, I gave her a box of band-aids and a tube of Polysporin, and told her what they were for. Then I handed out sticker books and pens to all the other children, and because they asked for them, to the adults as well!
I asked where Fatima's new school was, and was told it was nearby. I asked if the other children went to the same school, and was told yes. One boy, a neighbour, proudly told me that he was in Fatima's class, Class 5. Fatima went and got the various letters and gifts I had sent her, and it was obvious that many of the things I had sent, a toy moose dressed as a Mountie, a first-aid kit, at least one book and several letters, had never reached her, but at least some of the books and letters and stickers had. As conversation seemed to languish at this point, I asked if the two horses I had seen out front belonged to her father, as they were the first horses I had seen in Niger. He very proudly said yes, and asked if I would like to see them. Without waiting for an answer, he got up and led us back out front. Fatima and some of the other children carried the chairs. More pictures were taken, of me admiring the horse, of Fatima and me with the horse, with her father mounted on the horse.
Then Fatima's father presented me with a large bag of fresh eggs, nestled in chaff. I thanked them very much, although I had no idea what I was going to do with so many eggs. (I didn't say that, though!) Then Fatima's father commandeered the WV landcruiser and driver, apparently to fetch more gifts. While he was gone, I showed Fatima how to use my camera, and she had fun taking pictures of me and her friends and siblings. The pictures of me turned out better than the ones of the other children, as she hadn't quite mastered the art of centering the pictures, and took lots of fine photos of tummies and belly-buttons!
When Fatima's father returned, I was presented with a lovely mortar and pestle set, carved with traditional designs burnt into it. Again I thanked them very much, and said how lovely it was to meet Fatima, and her friends and family. Her father then made another speech in which he said he hoped that the bond Fatima and I had would continue, and that we could stay in touch. I replied saying that I,too, hoped that our bond would last a long time, and that I would love to stay in touch, but that I did not know how that would be possible now that Fatima had left the sponsorship program. At this, her father promised to return with Fatima to the ADP region so that she could return to the sponsorship program, to which I replied that in that case I would be honoured to continue to sponsor her. Then it was time to say farewell, and head to the local ADP office for a picnic lunch before visiting Safia in the afternoon.
I was introduced to the village chief, and to Fatima's uncles, and her father' other wives, before her father arrived and more introductions were made. We were surrounded by about éà little children, and numerous other adults. Mr. Albert made a speech on behalf of World Vision, the village chief made a speech, Fatima's father made a speech, and then it was my turn. I said how honoured I was to be there, and how much I had enjoyed sponsoring Fatima, and thanked them for welcoming me into their community. Then it was time for the gifts, and I gave Fatima the book about the countries of the world, showing her in particular the sections on Canada and Niger. I said that I hoped when she looked at it she would remember me, and that it might help in her school work. Then I gave her the fantasy novel set in Ottawa, telling her that although it was a fanciful tale, it was set in the city where I lived. I gave her the little toy tiger beanie baby, and the stickers, and the pens for school, and because she said she wanted to be a nurse, I gave her a box of band-aids and a tube of Polysporin, and told her what they were for. Then I handed out sticker books and pens to all the other children, and because they asked for them, to the adults as well!
I asked where Fatima's new school was, and was told it was nearby. I asked if the other children went to the same school, and was told yes. One boy, a neighbour, proudly told me that he was in Fatima's class, Class 5. Fatima went and got the various letters and gifts I had sent her, and it was obvious that many of the things I had sent, a toy moose dressed as a Mountie, a first-aid kit, at least one book and several letters, had never reached her, but at least some of the books and letters and stickers had. As conversation seemed to languish at this point, I asked if the two horses I had seen out front belonged to her father, as they were the first horses I had seen in Niger. He very proudly said yes, and asked if I would like to see them. Without waiting for an answer, he got up and led us back out front. Fatima and some of the other children carried the chairs. More pictures were taken, of me admiring the horse, of Fatima and me with the horse, with her father mounted on the horse.
Then Fatima's father presented me with a large bag of fresh eggs, nestled in chaff. I thanked them very much, although I had no idea what I was going to do with so many eggs. (I didn't say that, though!) Then Fatima's father commandeered the WV landcruiser and driver, apparently to fetch more gifts. While he was gone, I showed Fatima how to use my camera, and she had fun taking pictures of me and her friends and siblings. The pictures of me turned out better than the ones of the other children, as she hadn't quite mastered the art of centering the pictures, and took lots of fine photos of tummies and belly-buttons!
When Fatima's father returned, I was presented with a lovely mortar and pestle set, carved with traditional designs burnt into it. Again I thanked them very much, and said how lovely it was to meet Fatima, and her friends and family. Her father then made another speech in which he said he hoped that the bond Fatima and I had would continue, and that we could stay in touch. I replied saying that I,too, hoped that our bond would last a long time, and that I would love to stay in touch, but that I did not know how that would be possible now that Fatima had left the sponsorship program. At this, her father promised to return with Fatima to the ADP region so that she could return to the sponsorship program, to which I replied that in that case I would be honoured to continue to sponsor her. Then it was time to say farewell, and head to the local ADP office for a picnic lunch before visiting Safia in the afternoon.
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