Goodbye Ceremony at the School

On Friday afternoon, we headed to the school for the goodbye ceremony for the kids that were leaving.  Our families chose to get gussied up in the Ethiopian clothes we had purchased.   However, they did present us with gifts of traditional outfits for the children (in case the parents hadn't bought them).  The one they gave my son was better than the one I had bought for him, in my opinion.  They also gave me back my son's photo album at that time.

My son in the gardens of the school.

After the children were roused from their naps, the ceremony began.  The kids sang songs.  Then the girls sang songs.  Then the boys sang songs.  Then there was a lot of praying for the children, their families, the future and I don't know what else since it was in Amharic.  However, the nanny leading the prayers was very fervent with her words.  The children shouted out "Amen" periodically, sometimes even before they should have.

They presented the kids with a cut-out heart with kind words from the staff and the names of the children there at the time.  Some of the kids had even pressed their fingerprints next to their names.

Then we had the opportunity to speak.  S, the dad, started.  To sum it up, he made me cry.   Hey, S!  Thanks a lot.  My opportunity to try out the Ice Princess persona was shot thanks to you!!   (At least I wasn't the only one weeping!!!)  I was third to speak.  I honestly don't remember what I said except to thank everyone for loving the children so much, but I did kiss each of the kids individually.  Of course, I lost track of where I started and ended up doubling up on some of them.

 Then we had cake and orange drink or Fanta.  I took a lot of photos, especially of my son (the boy who did NOT want to pose) with the nannies.

By far, the toughest part of the whole experience was seeing the sadness and silent tears of a pre-schooler who was one of the departing kids. The child clearly understood what was going on.  My heart was breaking for the child, the child's close friends at the orphanage and the child's new family.

This girl (see below) was kissing my boy when he started to get upset.  She was such a sweet child all of the time.  Anytime another child started to cry, if a younger one fell over, someone needed help with shoes, she was there right away with her kisses and kindness.  I don't think you could write a character like her in a storybook because no one would believe that a child could be so giving and loving all of the time.