What Jennifer Means to Me

Jennifer is one of the most incredible young women I know.

While still in the womb, she lost her father... and less than five years later, her mother passed as well. Thankfully, Acholi society is quite communal, and the responsibility of an orphaned child lies upon the rest of the brothers and sisters of the mother and father. She found refuge, but it was little and she only received monies to attend school through P5.

She loved a young boy. Unfortunately, her friends wanted her to marry another... and on a dark night, she was made his without her consent. She gave birth to his child 9 months from that evening. He was not a good man, but she made due. She found a way to purchase a hotel, at which she did all of the cooking. One evening, her hotel was robbed as well as her home. She had to turn back to family to find her way.

Her first husband left her, and she moved in with another man for protection. Since, she has birthed him one child (in addition to the two with her first husband) with one on the way. She has worked as much as she possibly could... and she has paid for his school fees the entire time he was in school. Now, after graduating, he has not found work and he sleeps until noon.

Jennifer is a strong woman. She has asked many times why God wants to punish her, but she can still be found cooking in our kitchen, dancing and singing songs. She greets me every morning with a hug. We share stories. We giggle. We say silly things.

Jennifer inspires me constantly. She makes the most delicious dishes, she shares everything she has (be it sugar cane or a burnt corn on the cob). She is happy just to be with people, to share a moment with them. She tells me so much about Gulu, about Acholi culture, and about how to be strong amongst pain.

I will always carry Jennifer in my heart. I will never forget all she has shared with me.

Afoyo tutwal, Madam Jennifer. Afoyo tutwal.

- Karen