Mam enters the dorm as she does every morning. She wears too much make-up and too much of her lemon-smelling perfume. There is too much colour to her outfit.
All the girls stand at the open doors of their rooms. There is order in this place. All the children’s beds have to be made, their rooms cleaned. They have to dress in uniforms – white shorts, white T-shirts and black Crocs – by the time Mam comes in for morning inspection.
“Good morning Mam! We love you Mam!” they all shout in unison.
“I love you too, my beautiful Marys,” Mam says as she walks around inspecting the rooms and dorm. She nods approvingly at the order.
“You will be glad to know that a new sister has joined our school. I hope all of you will give her a warm welcome.”
“Yes Mam!” the girls shout, more like soldiers than children.
“Breakfast is ready, so you may eat. Get those pure bodies and minds fed with nutritious food.”
“Thank you Mam. God bless you Mam!”
Mam stands at the door to the dorm and brushes each shaved head as the girls file out. They smile as they approach to hug her, and cringe as soon as each of them is behind her.
The only time the girls show true emotion is in the two steps between the veranda and dorm doors because the rest of the school has CCTV cameras for every spot that watch them all the time.
All the other girls rush to Wandile.
Cameras are watching so they have to be clever when they want to find out information. They hide their mouths under their hands. They pretend to scratch their cheek so they can speak without being seen. They pretend to cough, looking down to pick up a loose grain of sand on the perfect lawn. They have learned a lot of tricks.
“Did you see her, this new girl?” asks one girl.
“She was dazed but I talked to her,” says Wandile.
“She better act right with Mam otherwise the plan won’t work,” says another girl.
“Don’t worry, I trust that I got through to her. She heard me,” says Wandile. “Mam is looking at us, guys. Let’s start her song.”
“Happy day, O happy day, when Jesus washed, washed my sins away,” they sing as they enter the dining hall.
Tears of pride well up in Mam’s eyes.
***
Tell us what you think: Why might Mam be feeling proud?