The Batwa Patient
There are few places where you desperately want to see a familiar face — like a hospital. Unless you work in one, all that antiseptic sparkle and military-level order is enough to make anyone feel a bit twitchy. That’s exactly where our Batwa “Pygmy” partners from Lake Bunyonyi ended up: first at the health centre on Bwama Island, then in the full-on bustle of Kabale Town’s main hospital.
But first, a quick (yet vital!) word about their situation: the Batwa were the original forest folk of the Gorilla Highlands. Then came the farming needs of the Bantu and the nature-saving plans of the modern state — and out they went! Gone were the days of hunting and gathering, replaced by the harsh reality of life at the very bottom. It’s no wonder they’re wary of modern life, which made it all the more surprising when our team member Serene Pleasure spotted a Batwa mum and grandma at Kabale Regional Referral Hospital, with a healthy newborn girl, no less!
“Owaha Edirisa!” [you, Edirisa girl!] the mum called out, clocking Serene instantly. Celebrity moment unlocked. Turns out that when the baby was on the way and things started to feel a bit off, the grandma decided to give this whole Western medicine thing a try over on Bwama. Bold move — but they had one big hurdle: no money.
The island’s medical team sent them to Kabale, starting with a free ride on the lake ambulance (that shiny new government speedboat!), followed by a four-wheel ambulance from the shore. Not a shilling spent.
The birth went smoothly — phew! But … the new mum didn’t have a single baby item. No clothes, no blanket, nothing. Thankfully, a kind woman in the labour ward shared what she had.
Still, the little family was stuck. The generosity train had no return ticket.
Then — ta-da! — in walks Pleasure, the human solution. They knew each other from our Batwa boat trips project, which aims to make visits to the Batwa community on Makanga a little more respectful. You know, for travellers who want to “see the Pygmies” but also give a toss about how it’s done. A few quick calls later, and their ride home was sorted.
Sometimes, all you need is the right person at the right moment.
