Oh, Nigeria.

Visited the Anam settlement of Iyiora today. They do everything big there: big family sizes, big houses, even big fashion. As we walked around, my supervisor, being the fashion savvy woman that she is, spotted (out of the 25 or so kids that had been following us around the village) two little girls that were adorned in House of Dereon hoodie dresses. I’m sure Beyonce’s eyes would gleam at the sight of these little girls that live on considerably less than a dollar a day but have enough savvy to know where it’s at in fashion. There was also a pretty pimp looking hustler type that, upon our arrival I’d assume, went to put on his Sunday best. He came back sporting a sharp tan and black blazer. I call him Brother Sharp.

Not for nothing, these kids are pretty amazing. Being raised in the company of one another while their mothers and fathers work – its kind of reminiscent of “The Goonies” or “Little Rascles” if you’re familiar with those movies. You can’t help but wonder what mischievous antics they get themselves into when the adults aren’t looking. On the other hand, the mature attire of, say, a Brother Sharp is very befitting. The children undoubtedly know much more about their environment then I did of mine at their age. You can ask any of them about any tree or plant and they’d be able to name it for you. I, on the other hand, had to google “ficus.”

Don’t judge me. I’m a New Yorker.