Dear Friends of African Dream,
I extend my most 'sincere greetings and best wishes for a joyful Christmas and happy New Year.
Christmas! Gia'!... Christmas!
do not know what this word or party inspire in your hearts and thoughts. I no longer remember 'what a Christmas in Italy. My Christmases are full of sunshine and lots of people ... poor.
Just today I celebrated Christmas in a prison of Lusaka. 1,100 prisoners, ragged and malnourished: for them this year and the Christmas' was celebrated today with a plate of rice, a piece of chicken, an apple, a piece of soap and a T-shirt.
fact, I accompanied the Sisters of Mother Teresa in this place of pain and misery to break con loro il pane del dono e dell’amore. Naturalmente il mio pensiero va al Natale di tante famiglie dell’occidente: i vestiti, i regali, i sorrisi(???), i cenoni ... Allora non capisco piu’ cosa sia il Natale, o meglio, non so cosa la gente stia celebrando.
Vorrei condividere con voi un Natale che ho passato con i condannati a morte.
Anno 1998: mattino meraviglioso all’equatore. Alle 8.30 entro nel braccio della morte: ci sono 250 condannati a morte. Come sempre sono tutti sorridenti e presi a lavare i propri stracci e piatti nei vari cortiletti. Tutti salutano e sorridono, anche i mussulami e quelli di altre fedi. Nel cortiletto tutto e’ pronto per la preghera che durera’ piu’ di due hours.
When I prepare to gather my things, but the head of Christian approaches me and asks me to sit down and solemnly told me that there will be 'a "Christmas Party"! I sit intrigued: I carry a thermos with tea, a plate with a handful of biscuits. Then from under the table pulled out a plastic bag with a few packets of biscuits. The prisoners are all sitting in silence while it is being distributed to each one ... say ... a biscuit. Everyone tends
both hands with a smile and welcomes the gift of great little ... a biscuit. It is eaten slowly and in silence, as they were celebrating a sacred rite. I can not 'go on with my tea. They were seven or eight biscuits: sbricciolati are in small pieces and repeat the ritual of the distribution: each one will receive 'a crumb ... and 'sharing the love and solidarity' of the poor! End of the Christmas Party!
I would not have forgotten that these two events while celebrating the hope that your Christmas is filled with much joy and much love, and while you exchange gifts, share and hope you can give so much love especially.
A hug, a greeting and a reminder to all of you and your loved ones .
Thank you for your friendship and to share the dream of African Dream.
Love,
Henry P. Colleoni
I extend my most 'sincere greetings and best wishes for a joyful Christmas and happy New Year.
Christmas! Gia'!... Christmas!
do not know what this word or party inspire in your hearts and thoughts. I no longer remember 'what a Christmas in Italy. My Christmases are full of sunshine and lots of people ... poor.
Just today I celebrated Christmas in a prison of Lusaka. 1,100 prisoners, ragged and malnourished: for them this year and the Christmas' was celebrated today with a plate of rice, a piece of chicken, an apple, a piece of soap and a T-shirt.
fact, I accompanied the Sisters of Mother Teresa in this place of pain and misery to break con loro il pane del dono e dell’amore. Naturalmente il mio pensiero va al Natale di tante famiglie dell’occidente: i vestiti, i regali, i sorrisi(???), i cenoni ... Allora non capisco piu’ cosa sia il Natale, o meglio, non so cosa la gente stia celebrando.
Vorrei condividere con voi un Natale che ho passato con i condannati a morte.
Anno 1998: mattino meraviglioso all’equatore. Alle 8.30 entro nel braccio della morte: ci sono 250 condannati a morte. Come sempre sono tutti sorridenti e presi a lavare i propri stracci e piatti nei vari cortiletti. Tutti salutano e sorridono, anche i mussulami e quelli di altre fedi. Nel cortiletto tutto e’ pronto per la preghera che durera’ piu’ di due hours.
When I prepare to gather my things, but the head of Christian approaches me and asks me to sit down and solemnly told me that there will be 'a "Christmas Party"! I sit intrigued: I carry a thermos with tea, a plate with a handful of biscuits. Then from under the table pulled out a plastic bag with a few packets of biscuits. The prisoners are all sitting in silence while it is being distributed to each one ... say ... a biscuit. Everyone tends
both hands with a smile and welcomes the gift of great little ... a biscuit. It is eaten slowly and in silence, as they were celebrating a sacred rite. I can not 'go on with my tea. They were seven or eight biscuits: sbricciolati are in small pieces and repeat the ritual of the distribution: each one will receive 'a crumb ... and 'sharing the love and solidarity' of the poor! End of the Christmas Party!
I would not have forgotten that these two events while celebrating the hope that your Christmas is filled with much joy and much love, and while you exchange gifts, share and hope you can give so much love especially.
A hug, a greeting and a reminder to all of you and your loved ones .
Thank you for your friendship and to share the dream of African Dream.
Love,
Henry P. Colleoni
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