We normally start by launching balloons into the throngs of children on the periphery of the distribution to separate them from the area where the recipients are being lined up for the photos and bedkit handouts. We have bags of balloons at the ready which when blown up and released bring great delight to the children so excited to chase them around. Deep into the distribution, we often hear bangs as the balloons meet their end. Next we turn our attention to the lineups of bedkit recipients. Throughout our work, our volunteer partners have had the children singing and dancing as they wait in line. Ian and I like to think we complement this effort by launching into our dueling harmonicas routine - mostly centred on our rendition of Freres Jacques. The children of this French speaking country usually chime in immediately on this tune - often in harmony and occasionally in rounds. Listening to 500 marvelous voices drowning out our harmonicas is a daily treat that I look forward to. When all else fails, we deploy our last weapon - our little hand puppet Princess FouFou (named after the Togalese staple dish of mashed yam). Who knows where she came from when she jumped into my luggage in Canada. But she has worked hard to captivate the crowd - particularly the very small children. (Tomorrow at our last distribution, I plan to find a new home for FouFou in Togo.) With all of this happening up front, our team works hard to set up the photo shoot site logistics and arrange for the children to receive their bedkits.
All in a days work for the children - "Dormez vous" in peace tonight.
Stuart for Team Togo 2018
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