My angel

Earlier this month at a visit to the cave I asked why they no longer had any music and discovered that the generator had broken and they needed 8000 shillings (80 quid) to get a new one. I asked around and all the volunteers chipped in. Last week I gave it to Katana, the guy who runs the youth club, and he thanked me and said they would have the generator for this weekend. During the week another youth club leader, Juma, texted me to say they would have a present for me, I got all excited and assumed it was the generator.

When we got to the cave (me and all the new volunteers, wazungu on parade!) they asked us to sit on the performance platform.  We were a bit puzzled but obliged, and Juma stood up and made a speech about how grateful they were to have our company and friendship. Then he gestured towards me and said "Miriam, you have done so much, we have little to give you but we wish to show our thanks." He handed me a handcarved stone angel and everybody started clapping as I burst into tears like an ejit. :)

It was so lovely and unexpected,I love going to the caves and seeing the kids, its not a sacrifice or something noble. They're there every single day devoting the little free time they have to helping any kid who has no place to go or no one to look out for them. The new generator was there too-broken! They're bringing it back to get it replaced tomorrow and they had an old radio instead, so we still got to dance. They had brought professional tribal musicians to play in our honour as well, we stayed for hours dancing and playing with the kids. The kids showed off their acrobatics and we were once again forced to attempt to limbo as the ridiculously bendy children giggled at the stiff wazungu.
The cave was full again-with volunteers, locals and kids playing, dancing and laughing. It was so cool to be a part of that, to get past being The Mzungu, to just be Miriam.
I'm so so happy right now. :)

Acrobats in action