PICNICKING @ PROJECT LIBERTY

Because I had been helping out at the French School and away on holidays for three weeks, I have not seen Jenn and the children at PROJECT LIBERTY for two months! Gosh, I have missed seeing them!
I decided to make a picnic and take it to them. All 25 of them!

Well, it took me a day of shopping and a day of cooking! I arrived with ...

• 8 kg of baked chicken drumsticks
• 2 buckets of pasta salad
• 1 bucket of potato salad
• 1 huge pot of baked beans (My Mom's recipe)
• 30 bread rolls
• 8 large bottles of soft drink
• and homemade brownies!

When I arrived I was firstly greeted with  "MISS DIANA! MISS DIANA!!" Hugs and smiles all around! Then, ZeZe, the eldest (23 years now and attending university) and one of Jenn's original orphans, politely greeted me and told me Jenn was out and would be back soon. He  informed me that they were finishing their chores and cleaning the house and that I could play with the children until all was done and Jenn had returned. 

Juju and Little Jen promptly told me that Todo was doente/sick. They took me to him. Several of them have had malaria and have been on medication. Jenn is lucky that she lives just behind the local hospital! She spends a lot of time there, too with 20+ children to care for! As I was returning to go outside via the hallway, I saw the five younger boys sitting on the floor folding their clothes to put away. Pai and Eliza (10-11 isn) were washing the dishes in two big buckets.  Jenn has done a fabulous job training them all to pitch in and help out. As the children finished their chores, they came to join me.

I began face painting the children with special crayons. They loved that! Then I was getting to practise my Portuguese vocabulary as they asked for random things to drawn on their arms! 

• carro- car
• borboleta - butterfly
• comboio - train 
• coracao - heart
• cobra - snake

Then we sang a favourite of theirs, TABA NABA. Remember that one? And I taught them the HOKEY POKEY. They thought that was really funny!

Afterwards, Jen came home. We laid out all the food I had brought and that the children had helped carry in. They sat up tables and chairs. The children said grace in English and then in Portuguese... and then we ate together.

I had cooked so much that they actually had enough food for dinner, too! They all were very grateful. "Obrigada, Miss Diana." they all sang out to me! Can you image what it is like to prepare the food, cook it and clean up afterwards for a family 25 people? Not just once, but breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks? Add to that, the washing and keeping the house spick and span? I hope you help your Mum and Dad at home! Do you? 

Appreciate what you have and show your love to your family every day!

Mmmm! Baked beans.

A mound of chicken to cook!

Salads in a bucket to go!

I could not buy big cans of baked beans only this size,
and no pull rings to open. I opened all with my trusty little can opener!

Ingredients at the ready

Juju and Little jen. Cutiepies!

And with  Elizabeth.

Anselmo with a bump to the head from playing with his siblings 

Jawito

Having a ball amongst the kids!

Alex. He's a lion. He has glaucoma and needs an eye operation.

And we did some chalk drawing, too whilst waiting turns.

Ananais- the butterfly.

Alberto, his own creation.

And now for some pretend tats. 

Oohh! Your hair feels so different, Miss Diana!
And the colour...is so you!

Eliza with a beautiful smile!

Serious Pai, the lion.

Mama Jenn is home! Let's eat!

The children helped set up the tables and chairs.

They said grace before eating.

They were enjoying all the food!

Little kids -first, big kids -second.

There's enough for dinner.
Jenn is relieved. She doesn't have to organise dinner, as well!

It started to rain, so we dashed inside. Just in time for brownies!

Smile! Aren't they gorgeous young ladies?