Makala

- Hello, uncle. - Hello. Are you awake?

Lord Jesus, I beg You,

give me the strength to do my work.

God, protect my family.

May Your light illuminate my life.

Get the needle to remove it.

Can you do it?

Yes, it'll come out.

Do you think a needle would be better?

I can't see it now. Let me!

Stop a while.

Do it as if it were your body, not someone else's.

I haven't done anything yet.

Aren't you exaggerating a bit?

It hurts, Lydie!

Hang on.

You always have trouble taking out thorns.

It's not like you didn't live in Walemba.

Is it out?

Thank you.

Get out of the doorway!

Evodie!

Come here.

Come here, baby.

You're drooling.

Brigitte!

Are you jealous?

Hello, Madela!

Will you grill it?

Yes, I'll grill it indoors.

It's too sunny here.

Is it a rat?

Yes, it is a rat.

You'll eat some.

Want these here?

- Can't you do it? - No.

I hurt myself.

Are you stuck?

- I hurt myself. - You hurt yourself?

What with?

A branch.

Will it hurt?

No, it won't hurt.

Give me your hand.

What kind of wood is it?

I hurt myself, pulling the branch.

Near the rocks.

- Did the rock hurt you? - I don't know.

Water's essential to the human body.

You mustn't overdo it.

How can you overdo it?

You'll turn into a duck.

If I don't drink, I get heartburn.

You drink a lot of water.

Bring back some corn beer.

Beer? How do I pay for it?

I have something else on my mind. I'm thinking.

What'll I do?

Finish the oven.

Anyway, it will be slow-burning.

Will it take 2 weeks?

Yes, there are big tree trunks.

But the first batch will be fasten

I've already gathered a lot of wood.

I saw the plot of land again.

I've decided. We have to move forward with our house.

If I sell charcoal in town, I'll have money for metal sheets.

We need 15 for the roof.

I want to build a house with 3 bedrooms.

You can start preparing the land.

Time is going by so fast.

We can't wait till December.

If you can get 1,000 francs, I can pay people to help us.

Let's do it on our own.

We have to save up.

Building a house is no joke.

We have to pay the rent too.

- We must progress. - I'll prepare the land tomorrow

I'll plant trees there.

I already have the seeds for mandarin and orange trees.

In front, I'll plant apple trees.

On the right, I'll plant a mango tree.

At the back, I'll put the palm tree.

Palm trees will stop the wind blowing the roof off.

You can make a duck pond, too.

- The river's too far. - Will the ducks go there?

I'll buy a bucket for cement

to make them a pond near the hill.

Where can we find ntulu for the hedge?

Ntulu?

There are some near my mother's place.

You could cut some and replant them.

It worries me...

There are flames over there.

- Where? - There.

Should I take everything?

Don't overfill it.

Give me a sack.

For the little pieces.

Those kids make a lot of noise.

They're badly brought up.

Brothers shouldn't fight like that.

Hold onto your side.

I'll pull the elastic tight,

so it stays on alright.

Call in on my sister on the way.

I want to know if Divine is OK.

Yes, I'll go see Divine.

Are you going now?

Goodbye.

Keep it up!

Thanks. How are you?

Fine, thanks.

- Are you going to rest? - Yes.

Where are you from?

From Sisse.

The road is bad over there.

Those hills over there...

I'm afraid of them.

They're very high.

You must have walked a lot.

Are you going to town?

Yes, that's right.

But it's a long way and I'm running late.

A group of 5 people went past earlier.

They must be on the other side of that hill by now.

On a road like this, it's best to travel in a group.

Yes, instead of being alone.

Please help me. They knocked my bike over.

Give me a hand.

You hold this side.

This way?

Let's go.

Come on...

All together...

One of you hold my bike.

Pull it that way.

It's damaged, the tires are flat.

- How's it going? - OK.

You must pay 2,000 francs for your charcoal.

I said 2,000 francs.

Take pity on me, I don't have that much.

I need money for my child's treatment.

Why would I take pity on you?

Please, brother, my child is very sick.

You're lying, you're condemning your child.

I'm telling you the truth.

What do you say?

How will I get the money?

I have nothing, I tell you.

The charcoal will do.

What do you mean?

Leave a bag if you have no money.

Leave my charcoal?

Leave a bag and I'll call it quits.

What you're doing isn't right.

Give me the money and go.

They're my pockets!

You have no right to search me!

If you don't pay, you stay here.

Take pity on me, brother.

Wait till I've sold this, you'll get your money.

If you go, you won't come back.

Leave a bag of charcoal.

The bag you want to take is my profit.

So, what do we do?

If you don't pay, you stay here.

Please have mercy.

Forget about mercy. Give me the money.

I can't show you any mercy.

Others pay up without arguing.

You're the only one who makes trouble.

- Hey, chief! - Yes.

Stop there.

You saw that.

They took a bag from me.

That's what they do here.

Put it here.

Come in.

Brother-in-law! Welcome!

Kaskito! Are you well?

Yes, and you?

Oh, it's been a long time!

I'm well, and you?

A long time!

A very long time.

What news?

Nothing special.

You're here at last.

My charcoal work takes up so much of my time.

We never see you!

Once the oven is lit, I can't go anywhere.

So, are you well?

Yes, I'm OK.

We're OK, too.

- How's Mpalaba? - She's well.

- And Divine? - She's well, too.

I didn't want to come to your home too soon

so Divine wouldn't cry if she saw me.

Even if she doesn't cry rig ht away, we'll both cry when I leave.