Ugandan Birthday

There is this tradition in Uganda, that on someone's birthday you are to dump them with water. And when I say “dump”, I mean dump. It is not a sole cup of water, or even a jug of water; and if they had fire hoses around, I am positive that would be the better option.

I had taken a seat in the lunch room, to enjoy the daily dish of common variety, when I spotted the plastic jug near the base of my chair. Sissy tapped me on the arm, put her finger to her mouth and pointed at it, barely able to contain her laughter. It was Nurse Stella's birthday today.

There were about eight of us around the table, conversing in English and Ugandan. (Not me. Them. I cannot speak Ugandan. Not even close.). Then out of no specific timing in particular, the jug came sailing at Stella. She shrieked and stood up quickly, but water poured down her uniform. I laughed. We laughed. But my own laughter turned into slight awkward confusion, as people were suddenly running to and from the room with empty food pots and pans; soaking Stella with more and more water, and laughing as a miniature flood formed on the lunch room floor. The fun did not end. No really, it never got old.

Some time later, Stella was drying out in the hot sun, contemplating how she would get a dry uniform for the rest of the day. Out came Better, the receptionist with two more buckets, and a chase begin in the yard. It seems you are open game for the whole day, with an endless flow of water, and they all love it.

Getting the birthday dump - for the upteenth time

“When is your birthday?! When is your birthday?!” The new volunteer was now target of the questions.

If I had believed in white lies, it would have been now. I brushed it off, and they asked again.

Now, I have seen them mark their calenders and I know I am on schedule for that day. I covet rain boots, a poncho and an umbrella. Interesting days lie ahead.