Cows, College, and Courage

Tomson at the Ugandan Zoo

It all began when my carefully laid plans went sideways.  

My plane was bound for Tanzania 16 months ago when a power outage diverted our flight from Kilimanjaro to Uganda. Aside from being frustrated that I was losing time I intended to spend with loved ones, I was disgruntled about the limitations of being trapped in a strange city. On the second day of my 3 day delay I took a breath and a walk, and from that one decision two extraordinary people came into my life.

Down the street less than a mile from my hotel was a zoo. Not a traditional zoo but a true conservation center. It was a beautiful park-like environment with dozens of the most iconic African animals. I bought a ticket and went in and that is where I met  Moureen, a conservationist and an educator and Tomson, an animal handler and zookeeper.  

Tomson is 26, the father of a 23-month-old baby, a husband, a devoted son, a graduate from the Entebbe university and he lives in a very poor part of the world. 

I met him the day I bought that ticket to the zoo and he (and Moureen) were my tour guides. Since that first encounter we have kept our contact and we have grown very close.

Tomson is always cheerful and enthusiastic and encouraging. His positive energy is so palatable that I asked him if I could use his photo as the icon for the world giraffe alliance Facebook page. 

About a month ago he was down, so unusual for him, and his exact words to me were, " Mama I am very poor and broke surely."

Tomson takes care of his parents as well as his wife and baby and he is the only source of income. I was curious about his family and he shared a story that gave me pause.

“When I am little my father was a cow keeper. We had cows to give milk and this is how we could be comfortable and live. But we do not have cows anymore.”

“Why? What happened to them?”

“My father sold them.”

“What? Why?”

“He sold them so I can go to college.”

"He sold his entire livelihood to finance your education?" 

"Yes surely he did Mama."

The family believed in Tomson’s education, and Tomson was sure once he was employed he could help them re-establish themselves, and in the meantime, the family grew crops and did odd jobs to support themselves.

We talked a while longer about his village and about the different kinds of cattle and how proud his father once was that he had some of the best and most prized livestock.

How much does one cow cost?

Tomson was quick with numbers. 

"Well a very good cow and a very good breed is quite expensive, as much as $800. A more ordinary cow not quite so good maybe 400."

It seemed odd that given Tomson was 26, and most students graduate at 22, in all the years since his college graduation he had not saved enough money to buy even a single cow. I delicately pressed the question. 

"Oh Mama didn't you know? My first three years of work at the Uganda Conservation Center was volunteer. They do not let you have a paid job until you have worked for them as an intern for 2 to 3 years. I worked in the evenings to make money for my family but it barely gave us food. But I work full-time now and just learn the Conservation Center will be sold to another agency of the government. None of us knows if we will keep our jobs in the next few weeks."

My heart sank.

I wished I had $800 to supply even one good cow, but all my resources go to The World Giraffe Alliance and I knew I couldn't spread myself so thin. I reminded him that as soon as our facility is operational he will have a job working with giraffes. That cheered him up. 

In closing our conversation I told him what a gift he has in parents who love and sacrifice for him. He agreed enthusiastically with that sentiment.

" Believe me Tomson, a day is coming when you will not feel broke and you will not feel poor. There are many people here who have lots of money and they are still broke and poor in ways you can't imagine. It will get better. "

And in his response I was reminded that attitude is everything. Without feeling sorry for himself or believing himself cheated of something he thought he was entitled to, instead he was simply grateful.

"Oh yes Mama, no worries about that. Everything is always okay even when it is bad. We are healthy. We just go on. . . No worries."

That kind of courage is the kind I wish I could hold on to everyday. No worries. Just go on. 

Until one day you can buy a cow...