My little guy 'Ibra'

Ibra loved the camera

 

It's been a whole week since I arrived in Tanzania now. I have been on the go for the past few days to say the least. When I arrived, it was a great surprise for both Rehema and the children. The day was awesome! At the end of the day, I was told some unbelievable, horrible news! I was told that my little guy, Ibra, had passed away. I was in shock and cried for two days. He was super special to me. Ibra got sick and never made it to the hospital. How does that happen? Too many questions, still unanswered for me.

I met Ibra when he was only a few months old. We hired his Mama to help Rehema at Karim Orphange. I remember the first night, Ibra cried all night and kept the rest of the children up. The next morning the children were so tired, being up all night, that they could hardly get ready for school. I said to Rehema, that maybe we made  mistake hiring Dada, because she has this crying baby. Rehema assured me it would be alright 'Hakuna Matata'. I am so glad I was wrong and Rehema was right! Ibra, became very special to me. He was very special to everyone who visited Karim.

 

 

He was so freakin cute, smart, funny and the most adorable little boy, that you couldn't help but fall in love with him. Where ever I went, Ibra went, what ever I did, Ibra did. When I worked, Ibra worked! He even had his very own work gloves. When I napped, he napped. At the end of the day he would say "Mama Linda, pipi tafadahli, which is Swahili for "Mama Linda, candy please!" And yes, of course, I would stuff his cute little chubby cheeks with candy!

 

 

 

The rest of the children would often accuse me of loving Ibra more than them. I would remind them, that I loved them all the same. Yes, there were more pictures of Ibra and yes, I spent way more time with Ibra but that was because while all the children were at school all day, Ibra was at home with me.

 

 

 

 

At the end of the day, when it was time for bed, Ibra was the first to yell out "Mama Linda, I love you to the moon and back".  I will never forget the first time I met him, the excitement on his face, when he got to swing for the first time and putting a decoration on his first Christmas tree.

 



 

 

Ibra, will forever be in my heart! I will miss him dearly. Ibra will always be my little guy! You will be the cutest little angel.

 

Ibra, Mama Linda will always love you to the moon and back!