"J'ai faim monsieur", a report from Bujumbura

This morning the financial director of the Project kindly drove me to a mini-supermarket at a reasonable distance from the hotel. But before going there, he stopped for some minutes in the center of Bujumbura to pick up something in a store. So, I stayed in the car, and due to the weather, with all windows open. Well, instants after, there was a street kid that came to my window, extended his hand (a beggar) and said "monsieur, j'ai faim" ... it means "I'm hungry sir". When I asked him what was his name, he only answered "j'ai faim monsieur". It really touched my heart. Even the old lady that had a very thin layer of skin on her bones ... you could actually see her skull, she smiled and came to me "j'ai faim monsieur" ... But, at that moment, several other street kids and beggars started surrounding the car, and all started to say "j'ai faim" ... I felt overwhelmed. There was one that tried to pick up the gsm of my friend, and other that opend the back door and closed it repeatedly shouting "j'ai faim". I was scared. My friend arrived just the moment I was starting to think of the real possiblity of being hurt by this little crowd of young street children/adolescents.

I got the following lessons from the experience:
First lesson: apparently the only thing they know to say in French is "i'm hungry"
Second lesson: even if it is helly hot, close the windows if you're going to stay inside a car, and secure all doors.
Third lesson: hunger is a trigger of violence.
Fourth lesson: it is painful to see poverty, hunger and suffering. It overwhelms you.
Fifth lesson: nevertheless, you alone, as foreign consultant, cannot do anything to help just do your work in the best possible way, so that the whole society is improved as outcome of your work.
Sixth lesson: The Kingdom of God is needed here, and probably a ministry like Alalay.
Seventh lesson: Keep yourself blogging inside the hotel the rest of the extended weekend.