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Wednesday, June 9, 2010

batteries not included

When I was pregnant with Eleanor I actually wrote a letter to my mother and mother-in-law outlining the things that we wanted for our "Little Chef." These things included (or excluded as the case may be) clothes that were NOT pink, organic soaps, shampoos and clothes, cloth and wooden rattles (not plastic), and nothing "Made in China." Of course it seems a little silly to me now, but what can I say. I was overly idealistic.

My little "wish list" has seemed especially indulgent and privileged since I arrived in Africa and bore witness to the children and their toys. These kids don't have organic stuffed animals and non-toxic earth friendly painted wooden blocks. But this does not mean they don't have toys.

Since there is no formal recycling, everything that can be is given new life; and childrens' toys are particularly well suited to this end. Last month children all over our village (we live in a village within the Arusha city limits) were running down the streets with pinwheels- made from plastic water bottles torn into 5 or 6 strips bent just so to catch the wind as they were held with one finger using the indent at the bottom of the bottle. I have seen every kind of automobile imaginable (from little race cars to big tankers) constructed from scrap wood, old plastic bottles and tin cans, nails and bottle caps. And these cars actually move- and move well.

By far one of the most ubiquitous is also one of the most simple, and after coveting the neighborhood kids' toy Eleanor finally has her own. Usually it's made using a large plastic top (which is easier to push, and turns more easily on its axle), but Godwin (the gardener) had to make due with what he had hiding behind the askari hut. Eleanor loves it.


 

9 comments:

  1. Makes all our outings to Toys R Us wrong on more levels than I can name....

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  2. WOW!! what a great example of how we really don't NEED all the stuff that seem so important to us when we live in such wealth. As your mother I will risk sounding rather old but as a child living on a farm we did not get all the newest fanciest toys and being 4th of 5 children, the hand-me downs were the newest things to wear! Her toy reminds me of the time 2 pairs of stilts that were made for 5 of us to share us and we too could spend hours becoming very skilled at running on them. It was great fun and from scraps around the farm! When you are home I can probably tell you more stories. I am sure this kind of realization will inform you on how much stuff your child really needs to have, more importantly they get the right things and not too much of anything except your love. MOM

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  3. I agree with both of you, and I can't help but feel a little guilty each time we come back inside to all the toys (plastic, educational, non-toxic painted wooden...) and books (even the adults are amazed at the idea of childrens' books) that are scattered around the apartment. Of course, Eleanor is equally happy with the plastic cookie container full of jar lids as she is her new shape sorting toy, so that makes me feel like she's not TOO spoiled with stuff.

    Thanks for your comments, both of you!

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  4. What a reminder of the POWERFUL imaginations kids come hardwired with . . . and how much of it we "snuff out" by giving them 'ready-made' everything. Replica this, model that, miniature this . . . Plus, a car is hard to make into something else; E's new toy on the other hand is VERY versatile! Imagine the possibilities! Grandpa D

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  5. That's such a good point about the importance of leaving room for the imagination. I think of all the toys that are designed for one function and come with directions for how to use them...crazy. Grayson's favorite toys tend to be really large sticks -- not unlike Eleanor's new toy, come to think of it! His sticks don't have fancy WHEELS or anything...

    I think we can all live without the latest Fisher-Price toys in our house, but we would be hard pressed to give up books. I think we might have to keep spoiling him with those. Besides, I like seeing what Curious George is up to myself.

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  6. I completely agree- books are here to stay. Besides, how could the child of Tim Baird NOT come to have a library of books at her/his disposal (I don't think Tim has gotten rid of a book since he was in high school). It's sad, actually, to think that the children around here don't have the same experience with books that we do. I recall the sight of the Maasai men standing mesmerized by Eleanor's Touch and Feel "Animals" book, or Gabrielle's children going through the same book naming all the animals in both Swahili and English. Seems like such a simple thing, a book. But it holds so much power and offers so much potential.

    I've been plotting ways to get all of our books home with us (we have so many more than we came with). Maybe the right thing to do is leave them here.

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  7. I would encourage you to leave as many as possible, think of how many little lives you can help to spur their imagines. Do you remember the time we took that big extra luggage with just books to Belize? It was such an easy thing to do and those children have been given a big gift. Mama D

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  8. Ok let me try that comment again!!!!I would encourage you to leave as many books as possible, think of how many little lives you can help to spur their imaginations. Do you remember the time we to the extra luggage with us to Belize, it had only books it it for the children there. It was such an easy thing to do and they have been give a big gift. You and Eleanor and Tim could go around Arusha and give away your books. Eleanor is young but it would be a great lesson in giving and you can then tell her how she did it. Just a thought???? Mama D again.

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  9. Yes, leave them. (Or at least most of them) Reason #1: They'll be greatly valued there. Reason #2: LESS TO PACK. Reason #3: We can readily replace any favorites once you're here.

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