the pain that raises me

This novel opens a window into the true lives of Tanzanian children and youth growing up in the midst of hardship and distant dreams. Through the author’s perspective, the reader is guided into a community struggling with poverty, overwhelming responsibilities, and the difficult pursuit of education faced by children from low-income families. Drawing from his own personal experiences and the environment inspire meaningful awareness within society. This is a story of hardship, resilience, and dreams that refuse to die. Chapter One: The Life of Wavimbala’s Family Wavimbala is a man with a large family of six children. He lives in the village of Ulumi, Sumbawanga. His age and life experience have earned him the respect of the community, and many call him an elder. Wavimbala has built his family with care and hard work, living together with his wife and four of their children. His first child, a son, is studying at VETA in Kasulu, Kigoma, focusing on technical skills and vocational training. The second child is already married and has started a family of his own. The third child, a daughter, is studying religious studies in Sumbawanga town. The fourth and fifth children are still in primary school, continuing their basic education. In which he was raised, the author delivers a deeply realistic narrative filled with pain, hope, and the relentless journey of young people fighting to build a future despite endless obstacles. He highlights the daily struggles of parents striving to provide basic needs, and how these circumstances often force young people to shift their life goals or take on jobs that were never part of their dreams. More than seventy-five percent of this story is rooted in real events, reflecting the author’s desire to expose the magnitude of these challenges and Two years after their marriage, Wavimbala’s wife became pregnant. However, this pregnancy brought many challenges. She began experiencing frightening dreams that seemed to warn of danger to herself and the union which old. These dreams caused her great anxiety, and she feared for the life of her baby. Two months into her pregnancy, she decided to visit the local clinic to register her pregnancy and begin prenatal care, while Wavimbala was working on the farm. When Wavimbala returned from the farm, his wife explained what she had done. Their conversation went as follows: Wavimbala: “How are you?” Wife: “I am fine. How are things at the farm?” Wavimbala: “Everything is good. But why are you dressed so nicely today?” Wife: “Amna. I went to the clinic because my stomach was giving me a lot of discomfort, so I decided to see the nurse.” Wavimbala: “Oh! And what did she tell you?” Wife: “She told me I need to open a pregnancy card for regular monitoring. She said it is important to attend the clinic frequently to ensure the health of the baby and myself.” Wavimbala: “Hmm! Isn’t it a bit early? You could have waited until five months.” Wife: “She said it is better this way. The monitoring will be thorough, and any problems with the baby or myself can be detected early.” Wavimbala: “Alright, that is fine. I would not have advised going so early, but since you have gone and registered, that is okay.” The pregnancy was difficult for the mother. One day, while collecting firewood near their farm, she encountered a large snake. It was a terrifying sight, and she was so frightened that she fell to the ground. The snake moved closer for a few seconds, watching her, before disappearing suddenly. She realized she had fallen awkwardly and hurt herself slightly, her arm going numb, making it impossible to continue collecting firewood. Fearful for her pregnancy, she returned home and told Wavimbala what had happened. They decided it was necessary to go to the clinic immediately to check on the baby’s health. At the clinic, the doctor performed several tests and examinations. The results showed that the pregnancy was still stable, but the nurse advised them to be careful and asked Wavimbala to help his wife avoid dangerous work. The next day, they went back to their farm to check on their charcoal pits. During this time, the wife saw another large snake, smaller than the first one. This caused them worry because, according to their beliefs, snakes symbolize dark and powerful forces. Being a woman of deep faith, the mother decided to visit the church pastor for prayers and blessings for the safety of her unborn child. With hope and faith, they continued with the pregnancy for six months, carefully following medical and spiritual guidance. However, the pregnancy remained challenging. The mother continued to experience severe pain, especially at night, requiring constant attention. One night, around eight o’clock, the pain intensified. Wavimbala decided to wake the neighbors to help escort her to the clinic. Upon arrival, they contacted the doctor, but despite their efforts, they could not get immediate assistance. Without a phone and with no neighbors able to help quickly, Wavimbala returned home, took his bicycle, and traveled to a mission hospital under the Catholic Church to seek the doctor’s help. At the hospital, Wavimbala’s wife was admitted because of her severe back pain. She was given a drip to stabilize her condition and ensure the safety of the unborn child. This happened on Thursday, the fourth day of September, 2003 At nine o’clock in the morning, Wavimbala’s wife gave birth to a healthy baby boy, weighing 5.5 kilograms. Joy and excitement spread quickly throughout the Wavimbala family. Although the baby was born safely, the parents still felt a natural worry, knowing that the pregnancy had been difficult and full of challenges before the child arrived. The happiness of Ennock’s birth was even greater because of all the efforts Wavimbala’s wife had put into attending the clinic regularly. Each visit, every advice from the doctor, and every check-up had helped ensure that both mother and child would be safe and healthy. Seeing their child strong and well, without any breathing problems or other complications, brought immense relief to the parents.