One day Tommy was on a casual hike through the Rwenzori mountains in western Uganda. He stumbled upon a secluded village that apparently doesn't get many visitors from abroad. I mean, like none. The reactions to seeing a muzungu (white person) for the first time were...well, let's just say unexpected.It's not uncommon for African kids to have this reaction when first seeing a white person (or other foreigner). It's a completely new kind of person that looks like an alien, basically. Child is just innocent.
Child: He's gonna eat me
Mom: He's not gonna eat you, if he does we'll beat him.
What an intense moment. refreshing change to see adults making kids confront their fear instead of catering to it. They are teaching her to overcome her fear, to go inquire, find out whether her interpretation of reality is true. Can we take a moment to appreciate how brave Maria was. Maria will have a great story to tell her grandchildren someday.
