visiting families of Fernando and Anselmo

This morning I went together with Leen Verstraelen of the Belgian Consulate to visit the families of both Fernando Machava and Anselmo ‘Lukas’ Chissaque, something which was really wonderful to do. We have been welcomed by very happy faces and introduced to all members of their families. Fernando is married and has now four children: one girl (11) and three boys (9, 5 and 1 yrs old). The three children of age are fortunate to be able to go to school, something which is I hear is not possible for many families in Mozambique, because even though schools are free, many often just do not have the means to pay for the school uniform and utilities and books. We were invited to drink a nice cup of coffee and discussed further about the project of the training period in Belgium and about the plans Fernando has to be involved in the start-up of a instrument repair workshop at the Escola Nacional da Musica. © Fernando Machava and his family in front of their house in Maputo + Leen Verstraelen Anselmo is called ‘Lucas’ at home, but let us continue to call him Anselmo, not to mistaken him with the other Lukas in this story, especially since he will the next three months be living in my house in Antwerp. Anselmo’s family is much bigger. He lives together with his young son Claudio and some of his brothers and sister in his parents’ house. He has one sister and six brothers. Two of the brothers are married and three still live with the parents. We were kindly invited to eat maniok and salad, which was delicious. I have visited the house with its different extensions and rooms and the courtyard with the chicken. © Anselmo Chissaque and part of his family at their family's home in Maputo + Leen Verstraelen I am sure that Anselmo ‘Lucas’ will feel happy in my family in Antwerp with my Angolese godson Miguel – who speaks Portugees –, my 18-year old son Max – who is planning to go to Congo and Angola in January – and my 9-year old daughter Mathilde. I have made a series of pictures, allowing everyone back home in Belgium to picture the homes and families of our guests.