Swaziland and Food

          Food is a big deal in Swaziland.  This is a place with many NGO’s at work, fertile land, and no major history of famine.  Most Swazi’s have adequate food, and although malnutrition is not uncommon especially among HIV orphans and vulnerable children, it is more about food not reaching those for whom it was intended.  Still, any event or community activity needs foods and large amounts of it. Food is even included in many of the compensation packages for service professions, even the gardener gets fed.   The gardener!  When you yawn it does not mean that you are tired; it means that you are hungry.   In short, food the amount of it and provision of it is a cultural minefield in Swaziland, and Heather and I learned that the hard way.   

    When we were planning our camp for adolescent girls, we discussed the possibility that the girls would want food.  Ultimately, we decided this was an unnecessary inconvenience and expense for a two hour camp.   The first day of camp, we had a nice lesson and craft time for about 12 girls.  But at the end of our time together one of the girls informed us that the girls would not be back tomorrow.  After more discussion, she shared that they needed food.  It was a walk out of sorts- a waya-waya (prolonged strike).   We were unprepared with counter demands so we acquiesced.  We are still unsure of the appropriate response to a demand of this nature. Swazi children are very respectful and obedient to adults on the whole; a child will usually approach an adult from a very submissive position with their head bent and outstretched arms.   Asking us to provide food in this way was a very disrespectful.  

        Were we supposed to respond in love or put these girls back  in line?   It was a justice vs. mercy issue, and on further examination it may have just been one older girl orchestrating the whole thing.  After lots of consultation with Swazi friends who basically confirmed the importance of food in Swazi culture and that we should have seen this one coming, and prayer, we decided to pick our battles.  We are providing snack for girls’ camp.  Eish!