Health, my son, should not be taken for granted

DAR ES SALAAM: DEAR nephew Milambo,

I send you warm greetings from this restless and ever-moving city of Dar es Salaam.

I hope this letter finds you in good health, strong spirit and under the loving protection of our ancestors. I often think of you there in our beloved village of Ukumbisiganga, where life flows in a more natural rhythm, guided by the wisdom of those who came before us.

May you all continue to live peacefully under the watchful eyes of the great Nyamwezi ancestors, led by the mighty Chief Mirambo himself, and blessed by the powers of our traditional gods, including Limatunda and Liwelelo, who have always guided and protected our people through generations. Here in the confused city, life is quite different from what you are used to back home.

The city is full of noise, movement and confusion. Every day feels like a race against time, and people are always in a hurry, chasing one thing or another. Your aunt sends you her warm greetings to you and your family and your little sister Neema, who you remember as a playful child but who is now growing into a responsible young woman.

We are all doing our best to adjust to the challenges of city life, though I must admit it is not always easy. My dear nephew, as I always tell you, one of the biggest challenges we face here in this city is the traffic.

My dear nephew, you would hardly believe how difficult it has become to move from one place to another. The traffic jams are getting worse day by day. As I always tell you, what used to take a few minutes can now take hours.

This is mainly because of the ongoing construction of the rapid bus transit system, which is taking place in almost all parts of the city.

While we understand that this project is meant to improve transportation in the future, for now it has brought a great deal of inconvenience my dear son. Roads are often blocked, diverted, or narrowed and this causes long lines of vehicles that barely move.

Every morning, people wake up very early just to try and beat the traffic, but even then, it is never guaranteed. You may leave home full of hope, only to find yourself stuck in the same place for what feels like forever.

The heat, the noise of horns and the impatience of drivers make it even more exhausting. Sometimes I sit in the car and find myself thinking about the quiet paths of Ukumbisiganga, where one can walk freely, greeted by fresh air and the sounds of nature instead of engines and shouting.

Despite all this, we continue with our daily lives, trusting that things will improve someday. Your aunt remains strong and supportive, always encouraging me even when I feel overwhelmed by the chaos of the city.

My dear nephew, a few days ago, something happened that reminded me just how fragile life can be. I was not feeling well, nothing too serious, just a general weakness and discomfort. At first, I did not think much of it, but your aunt became very concerned.

She insisted that we go to the hospital immediately. She kept saying that Covid-19 is silently making a comeback and that we should not take any chances with our health. Although I felt that she might be overreacting, I agreed to go, mostly to ease her worries.

When we arrived at the hospital, I experienced something that changed my perspective completely. As we sat there waiting, I began to observe the people around me.

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There were many patients, some in very serious conditions. What struck me the most was when several people who had been involved in a road accident were brought in. My dear nephew, it was a heartbreaking sight.

Some were in great pain, others unconscious and the urgency with which the medical staff attended to them made it clear how critical their situation was. At that moment, I began to reflect deeply. Compared to what those people were going through, my own discomfort seemed very small.

I realised how easy it is for us to complain about minor issues, forgetting that others are facing much greater challenges. Strangely enough my dear boy, as I sat there watching everything unfold, I began to feel better. It was not just a physical improvement, but also a change in my mindset.

I felt a sense of gratitude for my health and for the fact that my condition was not serious. I turned to your aunt and told her, half jokingly but also with sincerity, that I was no longer sick and that we should go back home. At first, she looked at me with disbelief, thinking I was not being serious. But after a moment, she could see that I truly felt better.

We spoke briefly with a doctor, who confirmed that there was nothing serious to worry about. And so, we returned home, both relieved and thoughtful about what we had witnessed. That experience taught me an important lesson my son, one that I want you to remember as you grow.

Always be grateful for your health and never take it for granted. Life can change in an instant, and what seems like a small problem today may not be as big when you see the struggles of others.

My dear nephew, I miss the village very much. I miss the evenings when we would sit together listening to stories, the sound of drums in the distance and the feeling of being connected to our roots. Here in the city, people are many, but true connection is rare.

Everyone is busy and there is little time to sit and reflect or to simply enjoy the presence of others. Please greet everyone for me, the elders, your friends, and all our relatives.

Tell them that although I am far away, my heart remains with them. Take care of yourself my son, respect the traditions of our people and continue to listen to the wisdom of the elders. Remember that no matter how far we go, our identity and strength come from where we come from.

I hope to visit soon, God willing, so that I can once again walk on the soil of Ukumbisiganga and feel the peace that can never be found in the city. Until then, may the ancestors guide you, protect you, and bless you in all that you do.