so i’m 20.

africa's cutest siblings, they sell water around our neighborhood

me and heidi at 'capitol' with our street boy and self declared husband, ibrahim; me wearing the amazing hat he had made for me as a bithday gift, with my name stitched on.

some of the street boys, from my first weekend in kenema.

It's strange to state I am twenty.

For the one or two people actually interested and reading this, I guess I’ll tell you about one of the most delightful birthdays in many, many years. It all began waking up, like I do most mornings, hot, bathing in my own sweat and somehow tangled up in my sorry excuse for a mosquito net. Obviously the receiving of presents is limited while away in a foreign country, but I knew I had one waiting for me, one that the amazing Heidi Whipple hauled across the world for me from a certain Candice Thiessen. The talented and crafty Miss Thiessen had sewn me a beautiful tote bag and ‘what was in this tote bag??’, you ask. Only the most amazing powered substance to grace this earth with its delicious presence: Big Train Spiced Chai. I was convinced I would not be able to enjoy this bit of heaven for months to come, but here it was, with me in Sierra Leone. So thank you Candice, for the best birthday present I could ask for, other than the one where my parents pay for me to travel around South Africa and Sierra Leone for months on end, exploring and learning and growing (Thanks parents! :) )
The rest of my perfect birthday consisted of a lot of lounging with Heidi, watching Lost and Arrested Development, napping, and being otherwise lazy and useless. I spent way too much money on Diet Coke, cheddar cheese, tomatoes, meat and kettle corn, but it was the best meal of my life.
The day prior I had invited the 15 guys in our street boy program to celebrate my birthday with cold drinks at the best restaurant/bar in our modest city of Kenema, much to the dismay of our local staff members Musa and Ishmail. I was immediately lectured on how street boys do not belong in the “renowned” Capitol Restaurant, on the boys’ inappropriate street attire, their rowdy behavior, and the apparent fact that Capitol is for ‘important members of society’. I brazenly replied that all I wanted for my birthday was equality and dignity, and that’s how I ended up ringing in another year of my life: with Heidi, Musa, Ishmail, and a bunch of surprisingly well dressed, respectful, considerate and hilarious young men who happen to be living on the streets.
So thank you to everyone who sent birthday wishes from back in America. My birthday could have only been better if you were all here to celebrate with me!