The Almost Interesting Life of Chantelle (aka Madina): Baby Please Don't Go, Go, Go

On my last day finally carrying a baby on my back in true African style

My babies - Awa (left), Cheikh (middle) and Marc (right)

Thursday was my second to last day at La Pouponniere, but the last day for Amira. I was glad that Sister Christina allowed me to take pictures so I tried to get as many pics of my babies as possible.

Amira and her baby Souleymane

Amira said her goodbyes the Thursday afternoon but I returned on Friday morning to say my official goodbyes. The volunteer from Sweden and Zhaoyi were working that morning as well. I got to take more pictures luckily.

Marc, being a darling

But since it was my last day, when I kissed my babies goodbye as usual – it wasn’t a goodbye, a demain - but goodbye - I may never see you again and if I do I probably wouldn’t know it’s you but who wants to think about all that in a simple goodbye GOODBYE.

Why would you want to leave our beautiful faces?

I was getting teary eyed even as the other workers questioned me and asked why I wouldn’t stay longer or insisted I come back soon – it was all too much. I held the tears in but La Pouponniere became a big part of my life for 2 whole months. It’s not easy to walk away when you’ve built relationships with the workers and have taken care of babies as if you were their very own mother.