Jambo

Podcast

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Scripture references

• Isaiah 53:10-11
• Hebrews 4:14-16
• Mark 10:35-45

Reflection

In a place, half a world away, the air is dry, the ground is drier.  Once healthy corn crops now stand yellow and parched.  The people have very little and yet, they have so much.

In July this year, my family and I were graced with the opportunity of a lifetime.  Together, with the support and best wishes of many of you here today, six of the seven people in our family travelled to the small village of Boma N’gombe in Tanzania.   There, we worked for three weeks with the people of Boma and ten other volunteers from across Canada and the United States.

We met and worked with children, teachers, care takers, nurses, doctors and many others who were eager to share their lives with us, albeit for a short time.  The people of Boma N’Gombe come from three tribal backgrounds.  The Pare people are completely assimilated with modern Tanzanian culture.  The Chagga people while maintaining some cultural traditions and sharing pride in their history are part of mainstream life.  The Maasai, on the other hand, struggle against modernization.  They are cattle and goat farmers, who live on compounds with their animals in mud and cow dung huts.  The Chief rules his clan and will take as many wives as he has ten cattle.  The Maasai do not send their children to schools but educate them in traditional ways.  

The people of Boma N’Gombe work hard, often from sun rise to sun set for minimal wages that often are not paid in a timely manner.   They do not use credit for purchases...they own every possession they have.

Our youngest daughters worked in an orphanage with children aged 8 months to 19 years.  These children were left to the care of Mama Lucy who did her best to look after all of them.  We estimated about 60 children lived in the orphanage, sleeping three in a bed and eating two meals each day: one meal was an overly watered porridge, the other a bland corn paste called Ugali.  These children could not afford to go to school, so volunteers took care of the education once the daily tasks were complete.  Community children who could not afford the 20,000 Tanzanian shillings or $17 Canadian dollars yearly, for an education eagerly came to the orphanage school.

Our oldest son, daughter and my wife each worked in primary schools with dirt floors, rough cement walls and three or four children per desk. Classes ranged in size from 50 to 75 students.  Classroom books were sparse, usually only the teacher had a copy.  Children were expected to copy the lessons of the day into their works books which they provided. The children were dressed in school uniforms of a white shirt and brightly coloured sweater; the boys wore beige shorts and girls blue skirts. Some uniforms are falling apart: sweaters unravelling, zippers broken or hems worn. Although all children wore shoes, some footwear was falling apart. All children in school had very short hair or shaved heads, as this was a requirement to go to school.  Because most lessons were in Swahili we were asked to teach English.  Children were eager to learn and seemed so happy to have the opportunity.   At break time it was a pleasure to watch these children give back in the form of chores or play games with incredible skill and agility.  At Bomani Primary School the only soccer ball was deflated and held together with twine.  The girls played dodge-the-ball with a ball of fabric.

I taught in a high school where all classes are in English.  Students are permitted to enter high school only after they pass a special entrance exam. These students wear a different coloured uniform indicated which grade they are in.   Every Thursday, students at Hai Day High School separate themselves by religious background for one hour of worship. The joyful refrains of celebration reverberate through the halls. Praise for "Mungu" God in Swahili is accompanied by clapping that is intricate and uplifting. There are no teachers in the classroom; there is no need. In the true spirit of a community engaged in worship these young people happily share their love and their talents for all to hear.

On Sunday morning we walked thirty minutes to the nearest Catholic Church. We took our seats towards the back and quickly drew the attention of the many young children seated ahead of us.  We watched an older gentleman and some younger ushers maintain discipline by ensuring that children’s heads faced forward or pulling youngsters off the pews.  Music was provided by a children’s choir accompanied by drums.  Young children could be seen taking turns conducting the choir.  It seemed that throughout Mass everyone was eagerly taking part in singing, clapping, swaying to music and all of the responses.

As we processed to Communion it occurred to us that the Church was filled with only children.  We had stumbled upon a Swahili children’s Mass.  Almost 500 children had gathered joyful celebration.  The only adults were the priest, the older usher and us.   The devotion of the children, the vocal strength of their responses and the enthusiastic singing were an unexpected surprise and delight.

The people of Boma had very little.  By our standards some may say they had nothing at all, but what these people did have was love and happiness in abundance.  They were happy to share what little they did have.  They lived as a community, each taking responsibility for one another.  Children would walk home with us holding our hands and no adults would come and take them away or tell them to be weary of strangers.  The entire community raised these children by offering love, discipline and guidance.

While we hope that our time in Boma may have enhanced the lives of some of the people that we met.   We know that this experience has changed us.

We are more grateful for everything that we have and we recognize that we have so much more than we need.   Flush toilets, running water, hot showers, paved roads, modern health care, education for all, universal human rights and opportunities to practice our faith openly are all things we used to take for granted.

Competition lives here...a bigger house, a better car, more toys dominate our goals in Canada.  We need to take a page from the people of Boma who are happy with what little they have. 

Our lives are governed by the clock here in Western Society.  In Boma the clock is only a reference tool.  Things happen when they happen.  Being with people helping, sharing and serving is more important than time.

In Boma, the land is dry because of drought.  Here, we complain because the rain won’t stop.

There people use what little resources they have to grow food for their families. Here we worry about our lawns. 

There people buy items in small amounts because they can afford anything more.  Here we happily purchase more than we need and throw away our scraps.   

There we were welcomed with open arms.  Here we are afraid of strangers. 

There people are eager to help.  Here we ask “what is in it for me?” 

There people of various religions worship openly.  Here we celebrate in our Churches, but when we are in the parking lot no one can tell that we had ever been to Mass.

In Boma N’gombe, people live with very little, and yet, they have taught us so much.

Assante Sana