The hard but cool cement of the veranda is home to this
beautiful old jjaja omukyala (grand woman). Every day I pass by on my way to
the main road and again on my way home. Without fail, she is there keeping her
hands and her mind busy. I wave and shout out, “Wasuse otya, jjaja” and she waves
back and shouts her reply. About once each week I stop and sit with her while
we exchange the few words of Luganda that I know along with a few grunts and
pointing. Other than greetings, I can usually tell her where I’m going and what
I’m doing but not much more than that. I always depart from that short sitting
by saying, “Mukama akuwe omukisa” (God bless you).
This day I waited for someone to meet me nearby and while I
waited jjaja handed me her weaving project. A basket. She showed me how to
weave that basket and I made a couple stitches and then wondered at the
strength she has in her hands. A couple thousand shillings and a few hours
later and that jjaja handed me my new basket.
I LOVE my neighbors – young and old!