I Have a Name!!!

We have lived in our neighbourhood for almost six years.

Along the road there is a cluster of much poorer homes and kiosks (little shops). With this cluster of homes, come children by the dozen.

Each time I pass through these homes, these children yell... 'Muzungu!!'

Muzungu means 'foreigner, white person.' It's a word of observation - nothing deragatory about it.. just a gesture of letting everyone know that there is a white person passing.

I can drive through there 3,4,5 or 6 times a day and it's the same thing every time. 'MUZUNGU!!'

I just smile and wave.

Well...Beni has been going down to the kiosks with Bucumi and Solange, our house help, to get various items when we need them.

Last week when I drove through the homes, I  heard... 'Mama Beni!'

I am no longer Muzungu. I have a name!! 

I'm quite pleased about this.

When we pass with Beni in the car... it's like he's a major football star passing through - it's hilarious! They all come running, yelling his name and want to greet him.

So much for the rest of us... but I'm happy with Mama Beni!