Being a Muzungu

The Kaara community we stayed in, was well out in the countryside, even the Ugandans didn't quite know where it was on a map. So, not suprisingly for many of the people we met they'd never seen a white person before. We'd drive along the tracks to the shouts of delight of the children as they shrieked "Muzungu! Muzungu!" (White person, white person) as they waved at us to catch our attention.

We were a novelty, a once in a lifetime experience. So our hands were held, are arms stroked, and hair played with. The children took our glasses, our hats, our cameras. 

We were not seen as wealth, a source of money or expensive gifts.

 Yet, when we left the area we were. In Kabale (the main city in the south) we attracted beggars. And yet this was nothing compared to when we went to Queen Elizabeth National Park, we watched two children as they spotted the car of Muzungus and sprinted towards us with joy on their faces. And we got ready to wave at them, but as they drew near they pulled a sad face and reached out their hands for money.

I felt hurt, and yet their response was, in hindsight, what I should have expected. They saw my colour and expected money, whilst I saw them and expected a friendly welcome. How often do we different expectations of each other? And is it right, that developing countries look for money and wealth from developed countries? Surely, giving money to these countries if like giving a man a fish, rather than teaching him to fish. I know we can't stop begging overnight, but surely if we respect peoples cultures, not flash our wealth and encourage local crafts it's better than giving a beggar money?

When in another tourist region, one of the Ugandan ladies we worked there commented on the fact 'We looked like Ugandans and spoke like them too' why? Because we dressed like Ugandans, and respected their dress, and spoke the limited Rugika we knew before speaking in English. And in doing show, demonstrated that we respected the culture we were part of. If we don't embrace cultural differences, does that send out the message that their culture is below ours? That they should become British too? I don't know the answers, and it might be completely untrue, but what happens if it isn't? Is this a new age of colonialism but this time through tourism rather than the army?

Generosity from those in poverty

In the eyes of a westerner, the people in Kaara were in poverty. Their main source of income was from the food they produced - mainly potatoes. And yet they had such a gift of generosity. 

"As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people have their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

 Luke 21:1-4

Like in this verse, the people of Kaara were generous, in their giving to the Church and to us. On a Sunday, collection was taken in Church. Like in the UK money was offered, however contrary to the UK food was also given. This food was then sold off at the end of the service, with members of the congregation buying for each other. And, as a thank you to us, we often received food, like potatoes, pumpkins, beans and cabbages. Staple foods in the area we were in, however once we also received a stick of sugar cane which was  interesting to try and another time a beautiful basket of passion fruits.



However, this offering of food did just occur on a Sunday, whilst we gained a lot of extra food then, people sent us food throughout the week. We would often return to our house to hear that someone had dropped off potatoes/beans/maize, and twice we received a chicken. Ugandans are known for their hospitality, and whilst we were never invited round to someones to eat, they were generous to us in the food that they gave us. Despite us being the richest people around, with plenty of food and variety, they gave us their food to say thank you. And whilst to us, a few potatoes or extra beans was nothing, to them this gift was a lot. And, that is the true meaning of generosity, not how much or what you give but how of much of what you have you give.

Like in the bible passage, the women gave all she had, how often do we as westerners, give only what we can afford to give once we bought food for the week, paid the rent, bought some new clothes, and had a night out. Shouldn't it be the other way round?

Hear are some facts to help put our 'essential' life style into focus.

• It would cost around $9 billion to provide global access to clean water and sanitation.
• Each year Europe spends approximately $11 billion on ice-cream

• One of the biggest diseases in the west is obesity
• And yet, so many families go to bed hungry, unsure when and where their next meal will come from. 

I don't think this is right, so next time you buy and ice-cream or a snack, think about giving the same amount of money to someone else in need.

Girl Power (or the lack of it)

I've just done an exercise that gives you the opportunity to make decisions as if you were a 16 year old girl, whether you male or female I suggest you click here to also do it before you read this blog.

I writing this blog because it hit me again, just how lucky I am. I am a woman living in a country where I have rights, where I can be independent. Where I have GIRL POWER!

I see myself as independent. I'm not fully, but my parents are supportive in my decisions. I know, whatever I decided to do, they won't stop me, they may try and talk me out of it, but they won't stop me. I know, they only want whats best for me.

My parents see education as a priority and have encouraged me to attend school, 6th form college and now Uni. But, for many children, especially girls, education isn't seen as a priority. As many parents in other countries don't have an education, they don't understand the advantages of their children having one.

So, many children, again especially girls, drop out of high school due to the long distances they have to walk.

They then go and work in the fields.

But, often after a year of working in the fields that parents have found someone for the girl to marry, either a boy the similar age - but can a 'marriage' between a 13 year old girl and a 14 year old boy really be called marriage? Or a man much older.
Why? The man has to pay a dowry for the girl, so the parents gain money and lose a mouth to feed.

Liz said despite it being illegal for a girl under 18 to marry, it is rare to discover an unmarried woman under the above the age of 18. However, they would wait until 18 until starting a family.

IF, however, the girl did end up staying on in high school. Many girls end up getting pregnant by their boyfriends, and end up disgraced back at their family home as the boyfriend might not marry them. In this case the girl and her unborn child is reliant on her families support.
Her prospect for marriage are slim, however a man may marry her as his second wife.

Like in the 'Girl power' scenario, marriage isn't an option, it was an expectation in the community we stayed in. However, unlike the scenario sexual education was available. One afternoon we went into the local primary school, so beforehand we asked to look at the textbooks they used. I was shocked at the level of sex ed the children were receiving at primary school. They were learning stuff that I was taught in years 7-9 at high school in primary 4-7, like contraceptive methods and where to get them from.
However, as my fellow team mates pointed out, it was important for them to learn it earlier on, partly because many might not reach high school but also because of  HIV/Aids and other STIs.

Sorry that this blog is quite similar to "Education is your life, guard it well" but, these issues hit me again hard and I wanted to blog about it.

Because I believe that Girl Power needs to be available to all.

Because I believe that girls need to have a voice.

Because I believe that girls shouldn't be sold into marriages or the sex trade.