Omwana

A lot of friends have asked me what my favorite memories of Uganda are. I have come up with a quick list of my favorite experiences:

-that one time I was in an earthquake
-almost getting our van smashed by the hoof of an angry elephant
-playing monkey in the middle with a real live monkey
-slaughtering a cow with a machete
-diving from a 40 ft. tree into Lake Bunyoni
-learning Rukiga dance while 3,000 people pointed and laughed hysterically at me
-meeting Gilbert and visiting his home
-giving free mani/pedis to my little friends
-drinking buswhera, African moonshine
-proving to men and boys that women can play football

BUT. At the absolute top of my bucket list, the number one thing that I had to do before leaving Uganda was wearing a baby on my back. Ever since my first trip in 2007, I yearned to learn how to do the same. I kind of have a healthy obsession with all things baby. In the marketplace I bought two of the fabrics used to "back" a baby. I also bought an adorable baby mobile crafted from Ugandan beads, recycled metal charms from bottle caps and sewn elephants (not embarrassed). If you didn't know me, you'd assume I was expecting.

I wanted to hold every baby I saw but two weeks into my second trip I still hadn't found a mother I felt comfortable asking. I was shy of my lack of Rukiga-speaking abilities (many of JAM's American members have learned Rukiga and they amaze me--it is the world's most difficult language with absolutely no consistent grammar and punctuation rules).

One day while we were helping at a women's clinic, Eliazar decided it was time for me to hold a baby. I hadn't shut up about it for days and he was determined to help. What was(n't) funny was that he expected me to approach the women all on my own and just sit back and watch. 

Scared that I might frighten the women or embarrass myself, I approached them where they were talking. I waved and smiled and they starred back. I pointed to the baby and held out my hands, gesturing that I would like to hold him. The mama's response went from complete confusion to horrific fear to cackling laughter in the matter of seconds.

Scared of pasty white skin

The baby was scared of me to say the least. One look at my translucent body and he let out a shrilling cry. My heart stopped. These women are going to be upset that I scared their babies! Instead they responded with a roar of howling laughter. I tried to give the baby back but the mama put her hand out and said "No. You." She wanted me to keep holding him! The women loved it.

After a few minutes Eliazar explained to the women that I dreamed of wearing a baby on my back and would they teach me? Certainly enough, they were all eager.

The center of village gossip for the next year.

Omwana

Look at that smile. That might be my best smile ever. The kindness and acceptance I was surrounded by made my heart grow even larger for those mothers. I will carry all of my kids this way and thank them forever for teaching me how. For some reason now, however "practical," strollers just seem absurd.