Art Day was held this year on Sat. Feb. 5 and it was really something special this year. In addition to the awards presentations, the serving of lunch, and the art-making, the newly formed ABCD Marangu West Advisory Committee members were present as VIP’s, and some of the mamas and children came forward to perform local chagga dances and songs. It was wonderful! There was also a ceremonial presentation to Lynn and I, of fruit, vegetables, and eggs by the families in thanks for what ABCD has done for their children in the past years. Lynn and I really feel we have been embraced by the local community and this includes the general population and the community leaders. We hope this bond will grow in the visits to come so that our work can be facilitated more smoothly and seamlessly into the community’s fabric of life.
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- art room (hotel conference room) ready for action
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- art materials at the ready
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- awards box
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- the banner is up
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- rice pilau being cooked
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- football with boys before guests arrive
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- hugs from arriving guests
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- Lynn and frank greet babu Ewald
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- lynn gives tanzanian handclasp
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- adeline and mom arrive
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- mamas dressing lynn in local costume for dance
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- Lynn dresses as a chagga mama!
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- greeting village Ward Rose Lyimo
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- lynn rehearsing with the mamas
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- some of the 100+ guests
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- now it’s a buzzing art room!
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- intent on their art
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- no space wasted
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- demonstrating painting technique
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- the VIP table
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- serving up lunch
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- Agnes, Community Development Officer says a few words
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- academic performance awards presented
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- pleased with her book!
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- Scola presented with her sewing machine
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- filling the bag with soap and other personal care items
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- all the boys got soccer uniforms from Aurora YSC