Swinging in the Tree

There were kids everywhere: squealing, running, sliding. Down in the Dumps told Nick and Vichika to organize a trip to the water park. So on Saturday morning The Nurse packed towels as she didn’t figure they would have any.

When we met the people-crammed mini-van Nick had arranged, he said, “No, they don’t want to go to the water park because it is too cold. They want to go to the playground by your house.”  Puzzled, I asked Vichika if any of the kids had been to the playground. She shook her head, “Only Noit,” who had stayed with The Nurse for a few weekends. She had told them about it and they were all suitably envious.

Once at the playground the kids took off in all directions. They had never seen anything like it and they weren’t going to waste any time. Slides, swings, jungle gym, this place has it all. One of the favourite attractions was a tree with vines. The little Tarzans took turns swinging and squealing.

 

 

 

 

 

A German woman and her baby came to the park. The dump people were fascinated with the white baby; the women took turns holding Hubert and the kids lined up to watch.

Then it was lunchtime. We asked what they wanted to eat. Vichika clapped her hands and said a few words in K’mai and 23 little kids appeared. She rattled off a few options and then said “hamburger.” Unanimous squeals of agreement. It was easier to bring the food to the kids than to take them to a restaurant, so off we went to get the burgers and some chips.

Back with the food, Vithika clapped her hands and the kids lined up, smallest to largest.  These tikes are amazingly well behaved: no pushing or shoving or name calling. But if a kid does something wrong s/he can be sure of a short, sharp smack from the nearest adult who may or may not be related.

On the way out of the playground we stopped at a mini-mart and got them ice-blocks.

As we waved good-bye when it was time for them to get back into the van we had an overwhelming number of thank-yous and “akuns.”

The DITD budget now sits at $346.06. The Nurse is going to take over and do projects with a focus on the kids. If I find something that needs doing in Cuba we can move the money around via Paypal. Thanks for helping make a memorable day for 28 dump-ites.