Giving: A gift instilled in me as a child
Today, I found myself deep in thought. I couldn’t have turned out any different, I am a giver, it’s embroidered in me.
Today, I found myself deep in thought. I couldn’t have turned out any different, I am a giver, it’s embroidered in me. So, I caught myself wondering how would I survive if I didn’t give. Just how? See, growing up, our home was a tale of giving; both my dear parents, (May their souls continue to rest in joy), were givers. Umm!
Where can I even start from? Ours was Ugandan Christian catholic family that engaged in cattle keeping, and that came with many farm hands. I watched my parents give them more than just jobs, they became a big part of us. One of the other outstanding ways of giving was the gifts we extended to the ‘God children’ my parents had especially those that came from disadvantaged families.
Every month, for at least two Sundays, we were assured of child guests and besides hosting them, we shared our clothing with them. We knew we had to share with the lovely, playful sisters and brothers that will have visited. My parents would then give additional gift packs which ranged from money to school fees. Sometimes they were given poultry, a goat among other things.
It became a way of life for us; my parents gave milk (to nursing mothers or a sick child), if it wasn’t that, then it was cow ghee, meat, when a goat/a young bull had been slaughtered, red, sending a hen, a goat to a family and of course once in while a cow would be passed on as a gift though not that often only on special occasions/visits. We also often received in various ways.
When I later joined primary school, the learning continued. I mostly remember a Runyakitara rhyme in my Primary two. It was taught to us by my favorite Teacher, Mrs. Agnes Abwooli (may she rest in deserved peace), who despite coming from Bunyoro, was flawless in Runyakitara.
It goes:
Munwywani waawe akuheire otarimugaya X 2
Akuheire akateito…
otarimugaya munywaniwawe akuheire otarimuganya
Ahuheire ekikoto...
Otarimugaya munywani waawe akuheire otarimugaya…
Translated, it means that when a person shares/gives you whatever they have, it should be received with gratefulness no matter how big, small; regardless of its value, it comes from the heart. Indeed giving is a norm that my parents cultivated in me.
Today
The COVID 19 situation is one of the occasions that calls for giving and sharing. This period is a trying time not only because we are afraid of contracting the disease but more so because it continues to threaten our livelihood. It is often not possible for all people to have buffer stocks and most especially those that even in normal times always struggle during the lockdown it gets harder. Giving is from the heart, it is not because a person giving has too much but they decide to share with others. It is the spirit of giving that thrives no matter what and in most cases it’s a sacrifice for the good. As the lockdown hit us my heart raced to many that did not have any food and did not have the purchasing power to get it since they rely on others to be looked after and to some their source of income has been collapsed. The work I do on everyday business in my life I serve women in markets whom you call vendors. They prefer to be called entrepreneurs and they are my heroine’s.
Majority of them fall in the ‘Double ZZ’ category meaning (Zenkola Zendya or Zalero Zendya), but as well there are other categories of people that I thought of to reach out and help who are in varying difficult situations; single moms who lost incomes yet with children to feed, the elderly in my suburb, and other places, parents that the lock down found already out of job, and friends facing hard times. I reached out to 15 families and put a smile on someone’s face. Those I reached out to some know it’s from me and others will never know. What matters is a smile on their face.
I give because I understand and know that the person at the receiving end is in need. I give because it makes the recipient feel appreciated, remembered and valued, I give because I know it makes a difference to live another day happier. Giving as an African, a Ugandan and as a woman is everyday life only that we do not talk about it often as much as we give.
#Stay Safe and put a smile on someone’s face
By Rita Atukwasa