Pretty Much the Best V-Day Ever

Happy Valentine's Day! Yesterday (saturday) we went to Tuleeni Orphanage for their Valentine's Day Party. It was amazing. We got there around noon with a bunch of donations from Jennifer. The kids were all pumped up because they knew it was a party day. Isaac, a local volunteer and friend, had arranged the party, complete with 'dj' and games. He had set up a music booth and was blaring bongoflava. There was about 40 kids of all ages. We hung out and held babies and toddlers, and danced (shakey shakey) with them.

My valentine this year was a three year old kid named Freddie (the one in the pic with the Yankee Jersey on). He is cute and sweet, and loved to dance, just like me! We had some fun with shakey shakey for a while and then played some games with the kids, including a coca cola chugging contest that was a bit out of control. The kids sang a couple songs for us and then we had the Miss Tuleeni competition. If there is anybody who knows how to shake their wowowos it is Tanzanian girls. They put on their best khangas and strutted their stuff around. The contestants were from about 3 to 15 years old. It was great.

The highlight was when we stood in a circle and sang songs together. We sang Lean on Me (a personal fave...) and Stand By Me and a few other equally heart wrenching songs. What is so striking about Tuleeni is the sense of community and family that Mama Faraji has built there. They function as one unit, even though they are a diverse bunch. Each contributes and they are able to live together as a family. It is incredible. Even though they have very little, their joy and comraderie are incredible. Also, there were many locals there to help out too, all guys in their 20s. I do not know many (if any) 20 some year old boys in the states who would give up their saturday to hang out with a bunch of orphan kids, out of their own volition. While we continue to dump on Tanzanian men, there are a few exceptions to this rule, all of which were at this party.

For more information on this awesome orphanage, you can google Tuleeni Orphanage in Moshi. They have a great website set up.

I have never felt so much love on Valentine's Day, that's for sure.