I now know why Mozambique is called

2010-03-18 10:16:39

I was coming back from Ponta de Ouro a fantastic beach approximately three hours drive away from the capital of Maputo when our car had to make a quick stop next to a football field made of red sand. There were about thirty children, oldest being about fourteen years old and an older gentleman who was their coach. What really caught my eyes was the football the children were playing with. It was a homemade ball, where they had combined lots of plastic bags together forming a shape equivalent to a ball! Isn`t that amazing!

My friends and I had bought a ball just for the trip, it was brand new. I quickly decided to get the ball and after a quick warning shout, I shot the ball towards these many children. In no time it all of a sudden looked like amateur girls soccer - everyone running after the ball at the same time. It was amazing to see the excitement in their eyes - really priceless!
Once the children had caught the ball everyone ran towards me at once and I must tell you, I never in my life had I received so many hugs and thank you`s in three different languages, it was thank you, obrigado and Kanimambo! Awesome awesome awesome! At this moment it was just serving as a reminder how Mozambique really is the land of many smiles.
I was then much appreciated by their coach and informed that people don`t generally know what joy a ball will bring to these children for many months to come.

This is just once incident of how wonderful the Mozambican public are - everything you give them or just explain is taking in which such pleasure enjoyment it is worth coming even if it is just to meet the people.

Victor Holanda