Fiolina’s harambee leaves us poorer than we were

Senje Albina came forward with her contribution. “Senje nakupenda nimekuletea kuku moja na gorogoro ya mahindi ikusaidie,” she said, handing them to me.

What you need to know:

  • We would have put up a tent but the cost of hiring one was quite high.
  • We used poles and dried banana leaves for the shed.
  • Rashid and Alphayo came to me asking for support and I gave each of them Sh100 which they gave.
  • Richard, currently a senior conductor with Msamaria Mwema bus, gave Sh300.

We finally held the big harambee last Sunday.

The day before, led by the headboy, students of Mwisho wa Lami Primary School had carried desks from the school.

At our home, we had put up a shed.

We would have put up a tent but the cost of hiring one was quite high. So we used poles and dried banana leaves for the shed.

Two days earlier, I had acquired a blue Kaunda suit that had long sleeves and came with four pockets – on credit.

Since it was her day, I had also “measured” for Fiolina a lovely maxi dress plus a matching headscarf and Ngoma shoes, also on credit.

he needed to look great to encourage guests to contribute. I had planned to use some money from the harambee proceeds to clear the tailor.

I also gave her Sh150 on Friday so that she could go to the salon to have her hair “burnt”.

The day before, I had sent an SMS to all the guests reminding them of the harambee and of their pledges.

Only Bensouda, Nzomo and Kizito responded.

All the other Mwisho wa Lami folks did not reply, but that did not surprise me because many Mwisho wa Lami people’s phones are one-way gadgets – they only receive calls or SMS.

Many would like to call out but the economic situation of their phones does not allow them.

SODAS FOR GUESTS

On the material day, I woke up early and went to the shopping centre to buy two crates of soda, which I locked in my bedroom.

Only I would approve the people to get soda and only I would give.

At 10 a.m., with Fiolina in tow, smartly dressed in our new Sunday bests, we walked to church and found the service just beginning.

Apostle Elkana, the Spiritual Superintendent of THOAG (The Holiest of All Ghosts) Tabernacle Assembly, was leading the service and asked us to sit at the front.

After the main service, he did a mini service to pray for the success of our harambee after which we were released, with the church choir leading us back home.

It was 2 p.m. We arrived home to find a few Mwisho wa Lami people and many children seated in the shed. Other than Kizito and Madam Atika, I can confidently say that the rest were there for food.

By 3 p.m., a few other guests had arrived including Wesonga, Mr Lutta, Madam Atika and Madam Mary. Apostle Elkana arrived shortly afterwards, and once he had eaten, he told everyone that the programme would begin in a few minutes.

Nzomo arrived on a boda boda, her entry bringing everything to a standstill as she was wearing a short skirt and tight, sleeveless blouse.

But her shoes were the real attraction; they were about a foot long, yellow in colour and kept entering into the ground as she walked to take her seat at the high table.

Fiolina and I joined her and sat in front together with Kizito, Wesonga, Lutta, Mrs Atika and Madam Mary.

Three quarters of the shed had been filled by the villagers with most women having come with their children and grandchildren.

Apostle Elkana called everybody to order and began by praying for me and my wife.

He asked us to kneel down and laid his hands on us; although I must note that while he actually was touching Fiolina, his hand just hovered above my head.

BENSOUDA'S ARRIVAL

“Since it is coming to rain,” he said after prayers, “We will be very fast. You just come and give your mchango, we announce.”

Just then, we heard the sound of a boda boda and I was happy to see Bensouda arrive.

I stood up and went to meet her, and led her to the high table. She was jovial and upbeat as we walked – until she saw Nzomo.

Her mood suddenly changed and she chose a seat at the farthest end, far from Nzomo.

“We will start with Andrea,” said Apostle Elkana. I stood up together with Fiolina and after greeting and thanking the people for coming, I gave Elkana an envelope.

“Sh2,300! Makofi Kwake!” Apostle Elkana said as he opened the envelope and displayed the money.

“Marafiki nao?” he asked. Wesonga led the pack and gave Sh1,000. Nyayo and Rasto, gave Sh100 each.

Rashid and Alphayo came to me asking for support and I gave each of them Sh100 which they gave.

“Former students of Andrea?” Richard, my most successful former student, rose.

Richard, currently a senior conductor with Msamaria Mwema bus, gave Sh300.

“Family,” called out Elkana. Ford, my younger brother had sent Sh500, which was announced. Just then, Yunia and my parents came to me and asked me to give them something small to contribute.

“Hatutaki aibu,” said my mother. I gave each Sh500 that was picked from the contributions that had been made so far.

My father gave Sh600; my mother gave the Sh500 I had given her, and my sister Yunia gave Sh200.

OLD GAMES KIT

When it was my Sister Caro’s turn she said: “I don’t have money but I will help my mlamwa with shopping, I will give her my old games kit and also the box.”

Senje Albina came forward with her contribution.

“Senje nakupenda nimekuletea kuku moja na gorogoro ya mahindi ikusaidie,” she said, handing them to me.

Next were colleagues and the guests. Lutta gave Sh200, while Kizito, Madam Ruth and Mrs Atika each gave Sh500.

He may have contributed but I do not remember seeing Saphire give any money.

“Before I announce more guests I wish to make my contributions for myself and the church,” said Elkana.

I can see many of my church members here so I will move the basket around for your contributions.

The basket moved around and when it got back, Elkana added in Sh100 bringing the total contribution from him and the church to Sh237.

“Before I call the chief guests, let me invite Nzomo,” he said, but she was not there. “Where are you Nzomo?” Elkana called.

“Since Nzomo is not there, I will welcome Madam Bensouda, the chief guest.”

“Thank you everyone although I am not Bensouda,” she started.

“My name is Miss Skastina Majani.” After encouraging all the girls to go to school, she gave Sh2,900 amid applause. As she sat down, Nzomo resurfaced, and went to see Apostle Elkana.

“Before we finish there is a guest who had not contributed, and she has given me Sh3,500 makofi moja, mbili, funga, fungua.”

“Nzomo will also give Fiolina transport to Mosoriot for the two years! Makofi tena...”

“Thank you everyone,” said Elkana. “As Caro counts the money, I want to welcome everyone seated in front for lunch in Andrea’s house while the rest of you will be served from where you are.”

Bensouda did not even wait for food, she left immediately – she did not even say goodbye to me.

Once they were settled, I went back to inspect the counting of the money. In total, we had raised Sh15,956. I was speechless.

It was not even enough to pay the shopkeeper. And far below what was needed for fees.

My father and mother arrived immediately to ask for their share while Elkana also mentioned that he expected to be paid having served as the MC for the day. My head was spinning round and round.

Surely if I wanted Fiolina to go to Mosoriot, I had to think of other ways of raising fees.

The harambee had left me in a worse situation.

As if that was not enough, I received an SMS from Bensouda: “So you call me to your harambee to use Nzomo to embarrass me? Let’s meet in school next week. Tough times await you!”

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