babies

It was a privilege to go and meet Halimatou's 2nd baby. She is a sweet little girl named Mariama. Halimatou is a nurse at CURE. This is about the 6th birth of employees at the hospital since opening about a year ago.... there are a few more employees pregnant. Niger does have the highest fertility rate in the world! Each woman has 7.8 (how can you have .8th of a child) children. The baby naming ceremony was today! So a bunch of CURE employees met at the hospital and went to Aminatou's home together. Here are some of the nurses and I all "dolled" up....Marie, Rabi, Me, Clarisse and Jamilia.

 The actual ceremony was earlier that morning but there were tons of people just hanging out. We were greeted by tons of children and Aminatou's husband. We walked through the gate and into a courtyard that was full of woman cooking and talking.  The area was full of activity.....here are a few boys carry wood for the fire.

 We entered the home and removed our shoes and met the new little bundle in Aminatou's bedroom. Mariama was fast asleep in a little baby bed that was covered with netting to protect against mosquitoes. She is truly a precious gift. Leron was handed the baby first.I was a little surprised that he did not remove here little booties....he is a sucker for little tiny bay feet! She was so tiny, precious and perfect. What a miracle.

 When Halimatou took the baby from her bed and handed her to Leron, Halimatou's 3 year old son promptly took the baby's place and brought laughter and smiles to everyone in the room.......what a scamp.

We stayed and visited and passed the baby around....I looked around and felt such happiness for this family but also for all who came with us from CURE. What a happy occasion. People just love to be together here. Relationship is KEY. Most were men and its was fun to be with the group. Lots of laughing.

Halimatou's older sister brought some mutton with a special green condiment for us all to eat.This is such a family affair and everyone was on hand.....all day....

It was a feeding frenzy with everyone just tearing meat from the bone....was a bit if a familiar feeling....like Abdrahamane's wedding or even Ramadan Fete with Souleyman's family. We washed it down with Sprite, Coke and Fanta and a special yogurt/ millet drink.

 When it was time to go all of the children attending decided that they needed to have their pictures taken. Such a lively bunch. I had a hard time just picking one photo. The little girl in the blue dress kept posing for me the whole time.

Some of kids were pushing and trying to get close up and arrange the smaller ones. They had an interesting way of getting themselves all arranged. They sure do love to have their pictures taken. I love digital cameras because I would show them the shots after and they would just giggle and cheer. Oh they have such wonderfully precious smiles.

Here is Halimatou in the beautiful orange dress and here husband in the yellow.  What a wonderful day to welcome such a sweet little one into the world.