Children of Bhukwini

Something I was totally unprepared for in Bhukwini was the joy and singing of the children. They constantly sang and played with each other without supervision. It was amazing that they rarely fought, and seemed to wander the area without their parents. I honestly couldn't match any children to parents other than those who were strapped to their mothers' backs with towels, or who were getting a bottle (or more often, breast) fed to them during our group times. Then again, I couldn't match any husbands and wives either. The family unit, when it existed, didn't seem to be a social unit. It was also very rare to see anyone between the ages of 22 and 50. A whole generation seemed to be missing from the village. Those healthy and smart enough probably sought work elsewhere, and others have been ravaged by AIDS. The 34-year old Chief is on his third wife, with the prior two having died. We don't know the story, but I wouldn't want to be #3.