Kid Stuff

I wanted to show some kids activities today.  Kids grow up with a lot of responsibility here at a very young age.  The other night we were teaching a lesson outside about 8pm with the zone leaders which is unusual for us.  In the background, there was a little candle type lantern burning and an 8 year old scaling tiny fish and cutting them open with a very big knife.  The 11 year old was cooking over the tiny cook stove and making rice and a flour mixture they eat for dinner.  All of this on the porch with flames dancing around them.  Occasionally a small child would try to stir with a big wooden spoon and the mother would shush her away.  The kids are usually barefoot in nasty water, on rocky and treacherous paths and think nothing of it.  Something very unique on Sunday, two girls came to church with little water bottles, which were recycled pint whiskey bottles.  A first for me in Primary!  You will see little children caring for babies everywhere.  It reminds me of the movie "Babies" where the African babies were always in the dirt and grew up just fine!  Maybe we spend too much money on baby wipes in the US.  Here are a few images. I thought you would enjoy:


These girls are plaring (or pounding) manioc leaves for dinner.  They all wanted
to be part of the picture, they actually race once I take it out of my bag.



These balls are made out of plastic bags and rubber bands.  I rarely see a real
soccer ball, although sometimes.  Notice the bare feet and the action!



In many places the kids have to bring their chairs to school.  You can see
a plastic one of a little bench like the boys have.  We often see entire classrooms
full of children just sitting in the dirt.   



Look closely at this swing.  It is made out of two egg carton flats.  He kept falling off,
but was having a great time outside the Elders house.

These hand made cars are the most typical toy in Mozambique.  They are made out
of old tins cans, string, pop cans and sticks.  This is the biggest one I have
seen, but the Elders have seen double decker ones in other areas.  Nothing goes to
waster and kids are pretty creative to say the least.