Welcome To Africa, the land of smiling children, music, dance, and rhino’s sitting in the middle of the road.
Today Kelly, Neda, and myself stepped outside of the orphanage and into a smelly cab to take a trip through the reserve. As we took a glance outside our windows we saw giraffe’s, monkeys, wild hogs, water buffalo’s, big looking deer, and yes – rhino’s. Well, the rhino’s loved to sleep in the middle of the road. As we crept up in a Toyota corolla the Rhino’s woke stood up and stared at us. . . the driver was scared but spoke little English to express it. Kelly and I were snapping pictures and Neda was commentating on the handheld video camera. Tourists? I think not. Yet, it got a little serious when Kelly said, “I think we need to start backing up. . . faster.”
The 2 rhino’s turned their head and stormed off into the bushes. Whipping our foreheads laughing it off we decided maybe it is time for us to head back. As we continued on our way – it happened again. This time – it was 4 HUGE rhino’s. They were fast asleep. From a distance we took some pictures, then honked the horn to wake them up. . .they didn’t wake. (the goal was to get them to move out of the road).
So – we decided to play a game. See how many stones you can stack on their belly before they wake. Kelly was the first to volunteer.
TOTALLY KIDDING!
This ordeal was a little too close for comfort. As we decided to drive around them, the biggest one had a massive dust devil spark from his nostrils and he awoke. Then, followed by the other four. This time we just jumped on the gas pedal and sped off.
The ordeal resulted in some amazing pictures and some wonderful stories.
Later this evening several of the children told me how much they don’t want me to leave. We sat in the study. It is surrounded by brick walls and a simple pen drop can echo for seconds. The girls told me they had a song they wanted to sing for me. They sang, “You raise me up” and “Amazing Grace”. I recorded both.
For the children here in Tumaini, music and poetry is the simplest way to shed their emotions. Once you show them true compassion, they share their life with you. They are all in. They give you their all and expect nothing in return.
Till tomorrow – it’s our last day with the children. Email probably won’t come till the following day – we are having the talent show – in which I will be showcasing some flips and kicks.
Changing the world,
Brian
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