Every trip to Kampala brings a new sign or experience that growing up in the US would not afford. Today we are driving in downtown Kampala and as usual while waiting at the intersections we are approached by street beggars. Our windows are tinted so it makes it hard to see in but once they see the buzungus (more than one muzungu) they start trying to sell their goods or gain sympathy for a few shillings. We have witnessed young mothers with babies pinching them so that they are crying to raise the sympathy factor.
Today a young lady with a beautiful baby girl on her hip approached Hannington's window and starts with the cordial greeting. After a couple of minutes of ignoring her... I tell Hannington I will take the baby... Hannington proceeds to roll down the window a little and tell the lady we will take the baby... just put it in the boot. The young woman looks at him confused so he says... you are out on the street begging... you don't provide for the child. Why are you producing?
This is not the first time Hannington has done this but it still catches me off guard and I find it funny as he calls it like it is. The last time it was a boy out selling wears in the middle of the day... Hannington told him why wasn't he in school? There are schools he could be in but he refuses and runs away because he doesn't like the rules. The boy was probably glad to see us move on.
It is moments like this that I am glad I am in the village and get to work face to face with these children.
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