Back to stories list
My village had many problems.
We made a long line to fetch water from one tap.
My village had many problems.
We made a long line to fetch water from one tap.
Kijiji changu kilikuwa na matatizo mengi. Tulipanga foleni ndefu tukisubiri kuchota maji kutoka mfereji mmoja.
We waited for food donated by others.
We waited for food donated by others.
Tulisubiri kupokea msaada wa chakula.
We locked our houses early because of thieves.
We locked our houses early because of thieves.
Tulifunga nyumba zetu mapema kwasababu ya wizi.
Many children dropped out of school.
Many children dropped out of school.
Watoto wengi waliacha shule.
Young girls worked as maids in other villages.
Young girls worked as maids in other villages.
Wasichana wadogo walifanya kazi za nyumbani kwenye vijiji vingine.
Young boys roamed around the village while others worked on people’s farms.
Young boys roamed around the village while others worked on people’s farms.
Wavulana wadogo waliranda randa kijijini na wengine walifanya kazi kwenye mashamba ya watu.
When the wind blew, waste paper hung on trees and fences.
When the wind blew, waste paper hung on trees and fences.
Upepo ulipovuma, ulipeperusha karatasi chafu na kuzifikisha mitini na uani.
People were cut by broken glass that was thrown carelessly.
People were cut by broken glass that was thrown carelessly.
Watu walikatwa na vipande vya chupa vilivyotupwa ovyo ovyo.
Then one day, the tap dried up and our containers were empty.
Then one day, the tap dried up and our containers were empty.
Halafu siku moja, mfereji wa maji ulikauka na mitungi yetu ikawa mitupu.
My father walked from house to house asking people to attend a village meeting.
My father walked from house to house asking people to attend a village meeting.
Baba yangu alitembea nyumba hadi nyumba akiwaomba watu kuhudhuria mkutano wa kijiji.
People gathered under a big tree and listened.
People gathered under a big tree and listened.
Watu walikusanyika chini ya mti mkubwa na kusikiliza.
My father stood up and said, “We need to work together to solve our problems.”
My father stood up and said, “We need to work together to solve our problems.”
Baba yangu alisimama na kusema, “Tunahitaji kusaidiana kutatua matatizo yetu.”
Eight-year-old Juma, sitting on a tree trunk shouted, “I can help with cleaning up.”
Eight-year-old Juma, sitting on a tree trunk shouted, “I can help with cleaning up.”
Juma, mtoto wa miaka minane aliyekuwa amekaa kwenye tawi la mti, alisema kwa sauti, “Naweza kusaidia na usafi.”
One woman said, “The women can join me to grow food.”
One woman said, “The women can join me to grow food.”
Mwanamke mmoja alisema, “Sisi wanawake tunaweza kuungana na kulima.”
Another man stood up and said, “The men will dig a well.”
Another man stood up and said, “The men will dig a well.”
Mwanamume mwingine alisimama na kusema, “Wanaume watachimba kisima cha maji.”
We all shouted with one voice, “We must change our lives.”
From that day we worked together to solve our problems.
We all shouted with one voice, “We must change our lives.”
From that day we worked together to solve our problems.
Sote tulisema kwa sauti moja, “Lazima tubadilishe maisha yetu.” Tangu siku hiyo, tulifanya kazi pamoja kutatua shida zetu.
Written by: Ursula Nafula
Illustrated by: Vusi Malindi
Read by: Darshan Soni
