Tables of second hand clothes, bowls of lavender water and livid colours of nail polish. A dream come true for our Y’tesfa Birhan girl’s ‘pamper party’.

Packs of coloured pencils, pens, pads of post-its, tooth brushes and toothpaste to take home, completed the experience. We received a big tote box full of these gifts donated and brought over from America. As they arrived last Wednesday, the girls were allowed to select 3 items of clothing. It was fascinating to observe that each girl knew exactly what she needed. The youngest just went first for the underwear and had to be told she could choose some other clothes as well. They tried items against themselves and each other like seasoned shoppers as they discussed the merits of various items. 

Their selections were subject to further scrutiny when they brought them through to the regular classroom. Another donor had given a gift of money to provide a more wholesome snack than the usual half a banana and handful of popcorn. A colleague had made a huge fruit salad including papaya, pineapple, mango and banana. Surprisingly the first table of girls were reluctant to try it. However as the session wore on they became more bold and asked for their preferences “moos, moos,” (banana) or “ananas, ananas”" (pineapple). It is possible that they hadn’t had the opportunity to have them mixed before.

Following a Bible presentation the girls went out into the evening sunshine to soak their feet, put on mud packs and have their nails painted. My sympathy for manicurists rose as I applied polish to the nails on fidgety hand after fidgety hand. Finally the evening drew to a close. As usual the girls were reluctant to leave and I walked six groups up to the gate as they were ready, to ensure that they would be allowed to leave with their packages by our wonderful, vigilant guards.

As we walked some wanted to know what the British flag looked like as there were a selection fluttering in the breeze on poles outside the gym. Otherwise they were inquisitive to know what was wrong with my forearm. I’d been bitten by an unknown ‘something’ earlier in the day and reacted to it. Despite antihistamine, and hydrocortisone ointment I had a sizeable angry red lump developing. I didn’t know how to explain so I used the word for fly (Zumb) and made a few appropriate gestures – they got the message. Happily my arm is back to normal now – until the next time.