Engagement party...African style!

At Precious Vision Care Centre, one of the lovely local teachers, Madam Joan who teaches the kindergarten class announced that she was to be married this month. Very kindly she invited myself and all of the GVI volunteers along to her engagement party, to be held in the local village church.

Several of us were very intrigued as to what an African engagement party would be like? Madam Jane (headmistress of Precious) was to be the guest of honour. Well we all soon realised that it wasn't exactly going to be an engagement party like in 'western' countries. More of a fundraising event to pay for the wedding.

After receiving small flowery hankerchiefs to pin on our clothes, volunteers, Dianne, Chris and myself sat amongst the group of Precious children waiting for the service to begin. The hold up being, Madam Jane, the guest of honour had to go to the salon to get her hair done!

Interestingly the bride and groom to be sat far away from each other. The whole service was focused on getting as much money from the congregation as possible! At least 20 times the speaker would walk around urging people to drop more money into the bag. Having already dropped in a large note, we volunteers soon realised that the thing to do was carry lots of small change, so that you could keep on giving. Oh well, lesson learnt. One amusing tactic to get even more money out of the congregation was that the bride and groom would only stand up and show themselves to everyone if a certain amount was collected!

Highlights of the service included the Precious girls putting on a dance and the boys doing a skit, involving Gideon from ST 6 dressing up as a woman! Also Madam Jane for providing a grand entrance and entertaining speech.

Despite the event being more of a fundraising event rather than a party. It was definitely an experience I am glad to have had. There was singing, dancing and the local community made us feel very welcome.

Seeing how all the local people came together to celebrate and support this young couple joining together, despite having very little themselves to give, was heart warming and made me realise how lucky I am for Joan and the local staff at Precious to welcome us into their community.

Katie Dangerfield, GVI field staff

Engagement party...African style!