Dear friends and supporters of Mosaico Euroafricano,

After the long Christmas holidays I came back to the kids full of enthusiasm and with my energy’s charged to full again. I must say that they were almost all in good conditions, quite clean and healthy (some, however, seemed to have lost a little weight) and, above all, happy and cheerful – they really enjoy attending our day-care centre and just a few didn’t answer the roll call. I received about 100 kisses upon my arrival, all on my mouth (Afrikaans are used to kiss on the lips when greeting) and two days later I caught a terrible cold! The new school year has brought us 18 new children (3 of them orphaned) aged 2-3 years old: they are all tiny, shy and lost. Thank God none of them are in bad health conditions, though some do need a special diet and treatment.

Last November’s Christmas party was a real success. As usual, each child was allowed to invite two of his/her relatives and (foster) parents; our children, together with those attending the primary school in D’kar, were 124: just count it up! Including our staff, in all there were over 400 people. This celebration has become a sort of tradition, besides being the most important event of the year for the people of D’kar, a small village secluded in the Kalahari Desert. Here, apart from funerals, nothing interesting ever happens, life is harsh and monotonous, and poverty is all around. Sometimes I think alcohol addiction helps these poor people bear such misery and suffering.

The road between D’kar and Clario (the location of our day-care centre) is usually nearly deserted, but on that day it was teeming with all our guests walking 4 km with the scorching sun right on top of their heads. One could see men and women wearing their Sunday best: showy dresses, colourful headgear, amazing and weird hairstyles with fake hair. Toddlers dripping with sweat were clutched to their mothers’ back’s and teens played truant to come to our party.

Under our porch decorated with Christmas hangings made by the children were two tables set with white cloths and china dishes from Italy for our special guests: the Kgosi (that is the mayor) of D’kar, a member of the Social Welfare Department, the director of the local primary school, some members of the council and two sponsors who give us a cow every year. All the other guests, instead, were sitting on the ground. On the whole, the atmosphere was merry, less blundering and more disciplined than last year.

The children were very happy and proud of the “new” clothes they received for this occasion (from Italian and Swiss donors). And, obviously, they were also excited: they had to act, sing and dance in front of a lot of people.

The party began at 9 a.m. sharp. Felicia, our nurse, led off the dance with a never-ending prayer – every meeting, conference or celebration in Botswana always starts with a prayer; then two of our kids welcomed our guests both in English and Setswana, the local language. Afterwards, it was up to the Kgosi of D’kar to make a speech: he thanked us for our commitment, congratulated and repeated the same old story as every single year before, “I would like to marry Cecilia (by the way, I don’t know if as his first, second or third wife) but she always turns me down!!!!!” Everybody laughed and I pretended not to understand.

The first group of our children performed a traditional Bushman dance to the rhythm of the drums, body and soul and never tiring: people clapped their hands, shouted, sang, whistled and some women danced along. A real success: everybody here has got rhythm flowing in their veins. Other kids dressed in khaki skirts and shorts and with green caps performed a funny scout marching dance, a heritage of the old German colonialism in Namibia. After that a funny sketch showed a story of patients and doctors in a hospital department equipped with toy thermometers, bandages, punctures, fake woundsand so on. The fashion show of weird hats created by us was also very funny, even if I must say that our teachers were undoubtedly the most excited about it. Some kids dressed as wild animals (like elephant, lion, leopard, zebra) enjoyed scaring the youngest, and even some adults.

Time for the diploma delivery ceremony: the children who had finished the pre-school to start primary school in D’kar got their first certificate. This event took place amazingly seriously and solemnly: people here love ceremonies and, deep in my heart, I wished this wouldn’t be their one and only diploma. Meanwhile, the singing of our kids and staff made me shudder as usual: their voices were strong, beautiful and moving; everybody was enthusiastic and conveyed an incredible energy and joy of life.

The youngest children represented the Holy Family. Joseph and Mary, carrying a black doll in their arms and accompanied by angels, shepherds and lambs, slowly came close to the public to sing Silent Night altogether – people celebrate Christmas even here in the Kalahari Desert! The kids had been asking me every single day in the last few months, “Ouma, is it Christmas today?”, and today I could finally answer, “Yes, my dear, it’s Christmas!” Over one hundred bright big eyes stared impatiently at the parcels under the Christmas tree: the children took their gifts cheerfully, almost with reverence, as if they had found a big treasure. I must say that no-one unwrapped his/her gift: they all guarded it very jealously and let nobody even get close to it. My colleague Maryna, together with the cooks, prepared the lunch for all the guests (450 helpings): everyone had a burger, a potato salad with carrots and cabbages, and a roll of bred in a plastic dish; for the kids there were also small bags of sweets and chocolates: during holidays one can make an exception!

When the party was over, the guests moved to the exit for their return trip while the children, with their gifts underarm, went back home by bus. The party was successful also thanks to our lovely teachers. Maryna and I were really satisfied and could finally sit down and rest awhile after this incredible party, meaning that another year had passed by.

Herewith I would like to thank you all for your unceasing efforts and help, without which our children’s life would be undoubtedly more miserable, and there definitely would not be a Christmas party like this. My special thanks to Marco and Giovanna Zanichelli, Maria Grazia Cucinotta, Daniele Santucci, Bill and Becky Holmes, and the Pazzini family in Verucchio (RN) for their important financial support. Many thanks also to Antonella and her brother Gabriele of “Pianeta Calzature” in Caravate (VA), Massimiliano and Cristina Della Bella of “Risparmione della Scarpa” in Rancio Valcuvia (VA) and “Garda Confezioni Spa” in Samarate (VA) for their generosity, besides “Autotrasporti Fraconti” in Sesto San Giovanni (MI) and in particular Cristina and Gianni, Desiré Labellarte and Rosella Ghiosso of “LeRoy Merlin” in Pantigliate (MI). Without forgetting all those who have been giving us clothes and necessity goods – the new container is supposed to be shipped in November.

Love,

Cecilia