Birthday

Yesterday was my birthday and I was treated like a king by all the staff at Lola. It was really touching how thoughtful they were. These are the flowers that 'papa john', the cook set up at the table for lunch.

They even had a little card...and they got pretty close on my name too!

And then, right in the middle of lunch, all the mamas (the women who take care of the babies) came over with a bunch of little bonobos and sang to me. They gave me flowers and each wished me well with a kiss on the cheek.

Then they all sat down and using pots from the kitchen, drummed and sang another song which they wrote here. its one of two songs they've composed at lola and it was beautiful. The music here is so much better than in the other congo. Henriette (below) had a lot of solo parts while the other women sang harmonies and her voice was incredible. She also sings in a church here.


It always amazes me how kind the african people can be. They have so little by way of resources but seem to brim with a kind of happiness you tend not to see in other parts of the world.