Excuse Me Driver, Human Beings Are Not Chickens…
Happy Prison Kid on a Beach Outing with Grandir Dignmement
Madagascar is sometimes called “The Singing Island”, and for good reason. I remember playing outside as singing bush taxies drove past. Strangers traveling together would often spontaneously break into full harmony. Yesterday, while sitting in a restaurant waiting for our food, songs I remember from childhood were playing, I recognized my favorite singer, Eric Manana who used to be the guitarist for the well known group Lolo sy ny Tariny. I started singing softly along with Raha Hankany Ialahy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgIDCuWu5pg and the waiter called his manager over and they all joined in. When I left, the waiter held his arms wide open and gave me a huge hug. For a zazatany (“child of the soil”) like me, there is nothing like the feeling of being welcomed home.
Speaking of bush taxis, I passed by a metallic art installation of a bush taxi full of people hanging out the windows, chickens tied on the roof. I was reminded of a euphemism used when you need a bathroom break while on a taxi-broose.
All you need to do is call out with the words “Azafady saofera fa ny olombelona tsy akoho”, (Excuse me driver, human beings are not chickens,) The driver gets the hint and stops.
Later in the afternoon, Madame Lalao came to visit.
“Tamara, you have no idea how much love I have for you.,” The feelings are mutual.
We reminisced about our work together last year in the Antalaha prison. Hanitra, Lalao and I called ourselves the FBI, (Fikambanan’Behivavy Investigation - Ladies Aid Investigative Committee) as we did quite a bit of sleuthing together and in the process became fast friends. Yesterday we talked and laughed together at length.
“Last year, I thought I was coming up for a beach working holiday”, she said, “but I was shocked when I entered the prison. My heart was deeply moved by the child prisoners and I felt a strong passion to help them never return, once they are out.”
When I had loaned Lalao my swimming goggles, she was thrilled to see real fish under the sea. She jumped up and down in the shallows with glee. This year, I brought with me about 20 pairs of brand new swimming goggles for the prisoner kids, as Karim of Grandir Dignement takes a small group out to the sea once a week on a rotating basis. Deanna, a dear friend of mine for almost 50 years leads a group of women to India once a year, for an intense four-day “Cultural Connection” experience with our Blue Mango women. She also takes them to a Woman’s Shelter in Cochin among other places. They brought along a full suitcase of gifts for the prison kids including these goggles, Jenga and other games, puzzles, candy and more. This time it was me jumping up and down with glee.
