Graduation Ceremony... Part 2

 Dancing...

it's was a big part of the graduation ceremony

So much so, that shy Emnatu got into the act.

...and later, drug me up on stage with him.

I don't use the word "drug" lightly.

 I am not a dancer, and I really didn't like

dancing up on stage at the ceremony.

Thankfully, the camera was out of batteries!

 I'm not sure you could call what I did dancing.

It was more like an awkward foot shuffle,

than it was the traditional

Ethiopian shoulder shrug dancing,

but I am know I gave everyone a good laugh.

Fekadu (my friend and translator)

and Kibret (Fekadu's church friend and my driver)

They spent most of the week in the car,

talking, napping, and waiting,

but they joined in on the fun for the ceremony.

A traditional Coffee Ceremony.

(Notice the grass on the floor, it's

a traditional Ethiopian decoration.)

A couple of the older Kolfe boys MC'ed

the program and lead a few crazy games.

In this one Merhawi, Biniyam,

and 2 girls from Ketchene Orphanage

had to grab objects with their teeth.

First in a bowl full of water... 

Then, in a bowl full of...

flour. :o) 

Love this photo of Biniyam!

The second game was the

human musical chairs game.

Lots of laughs on this one. 

Surprisingly the boys were actually

quite shy about girls sitting on their laps!

As if the dancing wasn't torturous enough,

I was asked to speak.

Not sure how Leslie got out of it,

or why Fekadu didn't give me a heads up...

Four of the graduates...

Sisay, Tamirat, Emnatu and Solomon

Two huge loaves of bread,

cut by the graduates,

and served for lunch.

Each of the graduates and honorees were

called up for a round of congratulations,

and presentation of a gift.

A sweet little message from my graduate...

(The hand heart we have seen so often on Skype.)

Everyone did a collective, "Awww",

but I laughed later that he did this in

front of the Govt official gal

who wasn't a member of my fan club.

That was priceless! 

Sisay

The boys' elected leader,
Dereje, aka "Guwugu"...

The boys all love Dereje.

It was awesome to hear them cheer,

"Gu-wu-gu, Gu-wu-gu..."

as he crutched his way to the front.

The boys told me that Ayal was a great dancer,

so after a bit of persuasion, I managed to get

both of the Tamiru-John brothers

to show us their stuff.

Somehow, I managed to avoid both of them trying

to cart me up there with them! Whew!!

How awesome to see them dancing together!

All the boys were in high spirits.

Following the ceremony, lunch was served.

A rare treat, the boys were able to have what

looked like a "normal" Ethiopian meal.

Lots of meat, vegetables, injera, bread, soda.

                                       

Gizachew and Surafel