In my travels, one thing I have learned is that children pretty much want the same thing - your attention. They want to be held. They want to be heard. They want to play. And they want to to know that someone cares about them.
In Malawi, especially in the remote villages, most children are raised by someone other than their parents. Sometimes, they are raised by grandparents, but most of the time, they spend the majority of the day under the supervision of an older sibling, usually a sister. It is not uncommon to see an infant strapped to the back little girl as young as six years old.
If you are walking with empty hands, it typically does not take long for a toddler to appear beside you, grab your hand and match your stride. If you sit, a child will often materialize in your lap, and will stay until you stand. Don’t be surprised if you attract several children that choose to follow you around, each one hoping for warn smile or gentle touch.
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| Madi and Effie |
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| Annie and Tawina |
A camera, better yet a video camera with a view screen that can face the subject, is an instant party. These kids (and adults) LOVE to have their picture taken. It is a joy to see them laugh and point when they look at their image saved on the camera screen.
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| Teaching some of the boys to make music by thumping their cheeks. |
On two different occasions, we hosted several of the older children and teenagers. Last Friday Annie, Alexis and Madison invited six teen girls to the Green’s home for “girl’s night.” They painted fingernails, did make-up, ate candy and acted silly - pretty much some of the same things they would have done at a party in California.
Then on Monday night, 13 of the village boys and girls came over for movie night, complete with popcorn and sodas. We watched “Despicable Me,” projected upon a wall in the living room. We all had a super time..
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| Movie Night! |
On two different occasions, we hosted several of the older children and teenagers. Last Friday Annie, Alexis and Madison invited six teen girls to the Green’s home for “girl’s night.” They painted fingernails, did make-up, ate candy and acted silly - pretty much some of the same things they would have done at a party in California.
Then on Monday night, 13 of the village boys and girls came over for movie night, complete with popcorn and sodas. We watched “Despicable Me,” projected upon a wall in the living room. We all had a super time..
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