His eyes shine crystal clear with desire.
Eyes that seek the horizon in the dense forest.
With the same intensity as yesterday, his smile is full of hope and joy.
Today school days are part of a near but long past.
He plays at survival with his family
He dreams of one day being a passenger, a driver or simply an observer of the beautiful car that passes by his house.
He dreams of clean clothes, whenever the white man shines.
He dreams of the simple touch of his hand, of the lingering greeting
This barefoot boy with his easy smile wants one day to be like “You”.
Inside his house made of green paper and red glue is the small fire that insists on warming the cold that is felt.
The red mantle of this land consumed by the sun, is now painted with the incandescent heat of the bodies that curl up with each other forming a large canvas, made of human paint
This boy wants one day to be like “You”.
He dreams of one day being able to have a tree all to himself full of fruits to eat and share
He dreams of being able to understand what books say.
The sun is peeking through the morning mist, it’s time to get up and listen to what the wind says.
The day is marked by the laziness of the daily and repetitive routine.
Today little André is leaving for the deep forest
He is going to meet the majestic and ancient trees, they are the masters of his world.
At this time of year, they are dressed in their most beautiful and delicious butterflies.
The family is happy, the scent of the flowers speaks of abundance.
In a little act everything is ready for the journey
Mama with a baby tied to her chest, with a basket on her back and on her head whatever was forgotten, winds her way along the path already traced by time.
Papa, machete in hand, makes way, for the trees insist on covering what is theirs.
André imitates his father with the small knife without a handle, tears the dense leaves like a true boy of the forest, makes life with his joy, he can dream of things that are not his, but his sweaty skin shines with pride and honor of being pygmy.
Cristina Sousa, Comboni Lay Missionary
Bangui, Central African Republic
