End of Year Celebration

As far as my organizations calendar goes, today marked the end of the year, which meant it was cause for a celebration.

One of the many programs under Meeting Point, DSP, Distance Support Program, put on an event that hosted our Orphan and Vulnerable Children along with their families and guardians.    DSP works to support the respective OVC’s with school fees from primary school up through secondary.  Given that an average school year without boarding costs an upward of 450,000 Ugandan Shillings, this program saves each child 5,850,000 UGX, 2,340 USD. 

The program had extra funding and thus the celebration was born.

The morning started off in true African fashion, two hours late.  We began with church; all spoken in Lwo yet I was able to keep up thanks to the familiarity of attending service back home.  We then moved outside where speeches were given by Meeting Point staff and government officials along with a handful of the children performing various talents.  The talents ranged from miming, think lip-syncing, comedy, drama, and traditional dance.  The top two performers received t-shirts from CHAPS, Christian HIV/AIDS Prevention Services, a local organization that works towards fighting HIV.

By the way, t-shirts are a big deal here so the prize was very worthy.

Meeting Point also provided lunch to the 300 plus attendees, which was prepared by all the women of Meeting Point.  The arrived to the office at the break of dawn to slaughter dozens of chickens, mingle posho, cut cabbage, and soak beans.   The food was delicious, with people wanting seconds and thirds to expand their stomachs.

In order to assist the women in whatever capacity, I assisted in serving the food to the child.  One thing I found so incredibly frustrating was the fact that some of the men just stood around while us women struggled to keep the children in line, get the food onto their plates, and keep everything moving in a functional way.  At one point one of the women had to go to her children, leaving two of us to serve meat, cabbage, posho, rice, and beans, along with removing soda tops.  As I turned my head to see if anyone was available to help, I noticed one of our young male staff standing with another in the shade.  I kindly requested his help and in turn he said he was busy and it was a women’s job. 

He was lucky I bit my tongue.

After the event concluded I addressed him in a calm manner, asking what exactly he meant by that statement.  He meant exactly what he said…  Serving food is a women’s job, even if they are busy caring for their children and fulfilling other responsibilities.

Cultural difference #46218.

I have to respect the women for never complaining and always returning to what their culture assigns as an expected task, no matter my point of view. 

Despite this hiccup, as I look back on the day I am very fortunate to be apart of an organization that reaches out to so many.