Lost in Assumed Translation

While waiting at the airstrip for Avions Sans Frontiers to come, I had a shot at some small dialogue in Lingala with some local kids who did not speak any French...

Me: Mboté
Kids: Mboté
Me: Sango Nini?
Kid: *something I did not understand but assumed it was a standard answer to my question*
Me: Malamo
Kids look confused then sad.

I turned to one of our staff who was there, laughing at me. I asked him what they said...

Me: Hi
Kids: Hi
Me: How are you?
Kid: We are hungry.
Me: OK, fine.
Kids look confused then sad.

Compassion at its finest right there. You're welcome, world.