Now an ode to the Mamas. The Mamas are the backbone of Moa. Interesting fact: They are named after their firstborn son, for example, Eliphas’s mothers name is “Mama Eliphas.” They work 7 days a week, all day, nonstop. Here is a little insight into the life of Mama Eliphas: In the morning she prepares breakfast. Then she washes dishes, cleans laundry with knuckle-rubbing strength that is amazing to watch, and supposedly, wear. Then she might do some farming. Or perhaps go to the store that she runs where some staple items are purchased. Then she’ll harvest some things for lunch and dinner. She might also be husking corn—she showed us a small storage room with husked corn piled about 3 feet high which will become maize. She might tend to the goat or chickens, clean or haul water. One day we see her coming back from an outing—she is part of a special mama’s group (they even have matching bright orange tee-shirts) where pressing issues of the village are discussed. She seems to take joy in these groups and in singing with the church choir. Boy can they sing!
She cooks meals with 2 pots and 1 pan alternating them over one coal fire. Needless-to-say we felt a bit of guilt about our array of wedding registry gifts. Since water is scarce, the dishes are done the same way the laundry is done—in two buckets—one with and one without soap.
Mama's Kitchen, Eliphas at the healm
Maria sees many of the mamas on her clinic days with neck and back pains. She treats them with massage and sesame oil. It is no wonder they have such pain---you should see the heavy loads that these women carry on their heads! And they all seem to bend at the waist instead of the knees.
I can’t help but think how such simple things like a refrigerator and a proper toilet would change their lives. As you could probably imagine Maria sees a lot of water and food borne illnesses as well. I guess they first need consistent electricity---there is some talk about utilizing solar power…hmmmm….
