COLUMN: There are dirty diapers, and dirty old men

Dear nephew Milambo

GREETINGS from this land where taking a bath is becoming a luxury.

My dear nephew, I hope by the grace of Limatunda you and your family are doing okay, and all the people in my beloved Ukumbisiganga.

I hope that your daughter is now feeling okay, because your aunt told me that a few days back she was experiencing high fever and a running stomach.

When your aunt told me about the symptoms, I consulted that doctor friend of mine, and he said the child might possibly be suffering from something called ‘Gastroenteritis,’ which he said is usually caused by a viral, bacterial, or parasitic infection.

He said the infection causes a combination of vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal cramps, fever and poor appetite, which can lead to dehydration.

From what I know, the most important part of treating diarrhoea is to prevent the child from becoming dehydrated, because it is very dangerous at her young age.

Your little sister Amani was not feeling well too, but I think it was a slight case of flu, but we thank Liwelelo that she is now back to her bouncy and cheerful self again.

Just the other day your aunt left her on the floor surrounded by soft pillows while she was playing with her toys, and when she returned a few minutes later, she found her almost near the door.

My dear son, it seems your little sister is rearing to go, and she can’t wait until she can start walking, because imagine at her age she is trying to crawl, although she moves on her stomach.

I really thank Limatunda for your little sister my dear nephew, because she has really transformed your aunt, it is as if she has given her a new lease on life, which is a very good thing.

I can assure you that right now your aunt’s life revolves around your little sister, she dots on her like a mother duck, that is why on numerous occasions she has gone with her to her office.

I know you are aware of this my son, because you are now a parent yourself, that the arrival of a baby drastically changes almost every aspect of a couple’s daily life.

The arrival of your tiny sister on our part has brought changes in our eating, rest, sleeping, communication, everyday activities and leisure manifest in many ways.

But as parents of this little person, me and your aunt are further blessed because, while attending to the baby and being totally invested and immersed in the process, we are privy to the many other remarkable events that unfold each and every day before our eyes.

Generally, looking at the baby makes us feel happy because it reminds us of the simplicity of life and how good it is to be alive. Babies can be so pure and innocent, but also so aware and present. They are in a world of their own and they are just having fun exploring it.

My dear son, the other day I was talking to your aunt Sophia and she told me that mzee Sufian has decided to sell part of his land, and she was wondering whether I will be interested.

I told her I am very much interested if it is the same land which I know he owns, because if indeed it is the one, then it is a lucrative piece of land.

I asked her why the old fellow has decided to sell the land, and she told me that the old fool is looking for money so that he can add another wife.

As far as I know, the old fellow already has about six wives, so I wonder why he wants to add another one, especially at his age.

I was honestly interested in buying the land, but after she told me the reason why the old man is selling it, I changed my mind, especially after she told me that the old man wants to marry a 15-year-old primary school child.

I still don’t understand why a parent can be comfortable marrying off a young girl to an old man, because if I remember right, mzee Sufian is almost 80 years old.

But then, I think poverty has something to do with it, because I imagine maybe the father is taking care of more than six children, so marrying off the eldest means one less mouth to feed, and maybe the bride price can help feed the rest.

But all the same, for an old man to marry a child is wrong, because you do not give the girl a chance to grow according to her age and at the same time you are denying her the right to education.

I remember some years back a young girl lost her life as she tried giving birth, simply because she was married to a 70-year-old man.

I wonder why people like mzee Sufian have to go for little girls while in Ukumbisiganga there are many widows he could choose from, but I guess habit is a very strong vice to break, because if I am not mistaken, he married his sixth wife when she was only 16 years old.

If it was not for that reason, I think I would have negotiated with him so that I could buy the place and put up several business structures, because that land is in a very prime area.

Anyway, I think there should be a law to deal with such old men, because so many young girls are denied their rights by such greedy old men.

Let me pen off here my dear son, I hope the presence of the Nyamwezi ancestors led by our very own Chief Mirambo will take good care of you and your family and all the folks in my beloved Ukumbisiganga.

Your aunt, your little sister sends their greetings to you and all your family, I hope by the grace of Limatunda we will meet again very soon when your cousin Yassin comes over.