Bem Vindo

We exited the plane in Beira to the sound of young people singing loudly in their native dialect. Lined up in the airport entrance clapping and dancing, they welcomed us to their city — our home for the next three months. Emma and I exchanged excited looks and passed under the large “BEM VINDO” sign.

The warm welcome continued as we made our way to the Young Africa campus in Manga. We met the staff at YA and quickly became acquainted with the campus and our responsibilities for the next few months. “You arrived just in time,” they all said as they hustled around the desk to shake our hand, “The sports festival is this weekend!” 

Our first week was quick and ended with overtime hours printing off schedules and organizing the prizes for the annual Young Africa Sports Festival and because we live on campus, they gave us the keys to the office, “Just in case we’re a bit late tomorrow morning.” As the fields began to fill with players and spectators Saturday morning we were the only staff around so we began signing teams up and directed a captains meeting preparing for the days events. 

Basketball, volleyball, and soccer games were played all at once. Spectators lined the side of the field marking the boundaries well. Emma and I walked around watching games and keeping track of scores and brackets. Around noon the women in the kitchen came and told us to announce that lunch would be ready in fifteen minutes. They had been in the kitchen since sunrise preparing to feed 500 plus participants and staff. 

While lunch was served the clouds became heavy over the fields and soon we began to hear the sound of rain drops hitting the tin roof all around us. for a moment we wondered what would become of the festival, but the rain did not stop the players, it seemed to energize them and give them an increased sense of courage as they faced their opponents, now wet head to toe with mud covering their bare feet.

The ref gave three whistles to signal the end of the final game and the crowds began to make their way to the podium for the closing ceremony. They began to announce the winning teams amidst the singing, shouting and dancing of players and spectators alike. As their name was called each recipient came to the stage to be presented with their trophy and acknowledgment from the crowd that today…he was the best.