The watering hole

I am going to be outside as much as possible from now on. 

Saturday afternoon, I decided to take my homework out on the front porch. While I was out there, I watched a handful of boys, some barefoot, rolling tires through my neighborhood; I wanted to jump up and follow them so badly! I stayed, but just a few minutes later, a group of kids with their jerry cans walked by. As they returned with water, they stopped behind the bushes in front of our house and giggled. I heard the word "Muzungo!" (sorry for not having clarified earlier, means "white person) and more giggles, and eventually heard my name "Jessica!", and they ran away. A few minutes later they walked by again, shouting out my name and peeking out from behind the bushes. I laughed and asked their names, still unsure how they knew mine, but figured word must have got out about me. They then asked if I would go with them to get water, to which of course I went! I ran inside to get shoes, and when I returned they all whooped and hollered, almost as if they were shocked I really was coming! 

My family has a big water container on our compound, and is really easy to get water, so I had no idea where we were going. I guessed that maybe there was a water container for the neighborhood, because I know some of my other home-stay friends have to walk a bit to such. But there was no container in sight. After walking through what seemed to be some people's yards (which isn't the case here, they were in fact common footpaths), we began a short descent to a field. It was then that I saw a creek. Were these kids really getting water from the creek?? They weren't, in fact, but instead they were getting water from a 'watering hole' for lack of a better description. It was a small, muddy and mossy hole which the creek actually began from. I noticed there was trickling water that fed it coming out of the ground near the hole. 

WOW. This was in fact their family's source of water. I couldn't believe it! 

Once they all had their various sized jerry cans (based on the child's size) filled, we began the trek up. I helped carry of few of the jerry cans for the smaller kids, to which they giggled when I offered. 

OH! I forgot to mention. Those tire-boys I previously saw, we passed on our way down. Seeing me, they ran to join us in this task. So now, not only was the group of jerry-can kids there, but also the tire-boys-- I loved it! While we were at the watering hole, they were all talking in Luganda and I had no idea what was going on. I think they were talking about me occasionally, but that's not surprising. Something bit me, though, and it stung. Come to find out, there are flies down there that carry diseases... (mom don't worry, I'm probably fine ;) )

Anyways, on the way back (of which there is a gnarly hill to conquer), the kids stopped in front of my house as if to drop me off. "Can I go all the way with you?" I asked. They were so excited that I wanted to! They took me to meet their grandma, and come to find out, I pass their house (and potentially shop??) every morning on my way to school! I wasn't sure where I was going to be on Sunday during that time, but I told them to call for me as they passed and maybe I would be able to join them again!

On Sunday, I heard what sounded to be my name and found them waiting for me. :) My mom, however, upon hearing where the watering hole was, didn't want me to go because of the flies. She said it would be ok if I put on a sweater and bug spray though! So I was able to go again; this time, we 'collected' other kids along the way with jerry cans who joined us in getting water. 

When I walked all the way home with them, this time I met another kids' mom (well, aunt) and sat and talked with her for a few minutes. The kids then showed me the secret paths back home and everything!

Now that I think about it, it's about now to 45 minutes to now that they will go! 

Nearly every morning on my way to school, I have passed by a girl in the field right across from our house who greets me by name. Having no idea who she is or how she knows me (again), I've just smiled and greeted in return. But yesterday, I realized that she was one of the girls in the jerry-can crew! So now I know her name, Jarriet. :)