Friday, March 8, 2019
It was hard to imagine that after the visit from Alfred’s family, there would be much excitement to follow. The morning was relatively quiet, and we took time to catch up on some of our emails and to download the many photos we had taken on Thursday. However, we had gotten a message from my Masai friend Elizabeth that she had finally been able to connect with her little sister, Ngaisi, and they were coming into Arusha for a final prenatal exam. They were scheduled to come next Thursday, but Elizabeth will be far out with no internet connection helping with trachoma clinics and education by then. Since almost no one else in the family the family speaks Swahili well enough to navigate in Arusha or at a hospital, Elizabeth wanted to make sure she was at this final check.
Soon after noon, Elizabeth sent me a text that they would be arriving at Kundayo in about an hour and a half, which I interpreted to be possibly 2:00 p.m. But, 2:00 came and passed, as did 3:00. John had gone to order the kuku na chipsie just after 1:30, so the food was waiting, too. Finally, just after 3:00, we sat down to eat, and just then Elizabeth and Ngaisi came around the corner. Elizabeth called out, “Happy International Women’s Day”! and after other warm greetings, we all rearranged ourselves and ate together. Both Elizabeth and Ngaisi preferred drumsticks. I ventured to eat a small piece of white meat, my first real food this week.
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Enjoying kuku na chipies. (Ngaisi is not holding a sword. That is a blade of a snake plant intruding into the photo.) |
While we were eating, Elizabeth gave a report about Ngaisi’s appointment. All is well, but the baby has already dropped and could be born much earlier than had been stated as its due date, April 9th. Mary Lou and I want only the best for Ngaisi, who lost her first pregnancy, but we would really be thrilled if this baby was born while we are still here. Elizabeth’s thoughts were focused on how Ngaisi would get from her remote manyatta to the hospital once she started labor. She also wanted to make sure that I knew all the possible contacts at the hospital and could get there if the birth occurred before we left. We even arranged to prepay a driver to bring Ngaisi to the hospital so no one could “eat” that money in advance. Mary Lou and I even have a list of the supplies the hospital says Ngaisi will need there. So, IF this baby is born in the next two weeks, we should be well prepared to swing into action and give it a very hearty welcome. After that, we can only hope for the best without Elizabeth to direct the family action.
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One of Ngaisi's rare smiles. |
This would be the last time we saw Elizabeth and maybe Ngaisi until next January, so parting was difficult. Elizabeth is very westernized and gives social hugs like a mzungu. Ngaisi, however, is very traditional and much shyer. After knowing me for 2 years, she gives me sort-of-barely-touching “hugs.” This time, however, she put her head on my shoulder and hugged me hard. I was very surprised. Then she kissed me three times on my cheek. I almost cried. She’s only 19 at the oldest and lives a life most of us can only imagine even if we’ve read about traditional Masai life. It seems clear that she looks to us as her supporters and protectors when it comes time to give birth. God, I hope we are still here!
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