Let meat not make us abuse children

OPINION

By Chris Obore

I usually do not accept to be a Master of Ceremony (MC) in events yet I can do it well. 

I decided not to for two reasons: My public service work.  Our feudal outlook has birthed the worship of titles.

Sections of our society think big titles mean greatness. There is opportunistic glorification of high ranking individuals as opposed to seeing them as servants. 

They must not be seen riding bicycles, walking or being an MC. They must always sit on special seats befitting status!

Secondly, being an MC is now a paid for job and money is the crux instead of the social connection. I frown at rugged capitalism. 

To be an MC in a social event like a wedding or burial should not be about pay but deepening of relationships and creating good memories. 

However, for three times now, I have deviated from my rule.  I have recently been MC at the marriage functions of two of my colleagues at work—one in Kumi District and another in Namugongo, Wakiso District.

I have also been an MC at the wedding reception of one of my cousin sisters. We had taken long without much interaction because of ‘chasing survival' in this intensely capitalistic world that has bestowed upon us busy schedules.

But she called me to inform me about her wedding. She asked me to be the MC.  I did it. And so happily.

Why did I deviate from my rule?  I have a message.  I want it to reach far and wide. It's about children and the elderly.  

The message is that if you have class and character; have emotional control, and with proven mental wellbeing, then never eat at a function before children eat. If you care about the future of your society start by demonstrating care for the children.

My observation over time is that in social ceremonies and even public functions, adults have demonstrated less care for the wellbeing of children especially when it comes to time for food.

Most adults rush to food serving points at functions and jostle in queues to be the first to be served. Parents start lashing at kids accusing them of being an embarrassment.

It's a time some parents lecture and forcefully demand that the children demonstrate discipline and patience. 

Imagine asking children to show discipline and patience in a sea of undisciplined adults jostling for food -especially meat!

In the three ceremonies I have been to, I gave conditions before accepting to serve as MC. The first condition was that when it comes to meal time, I have to announce that no guest eats before children have eaten. After children, the elderly people get food.

In what I jokingly called Obore's Policy on Children, I told the gatherings that I do respect chief guests and the ‘high-table' (dignitaries) at ceremonies but when it comes to serving food, the children become special guests hence the priority.

It's the message I request the readers to spread in Churches, Mosques, Universities and even political rallies.

In one of the functions, a young lady attempted to jump the queue but I walked to her and asked her to allow the old women behind her to be served first. She told me she is also a guest. She insisted on the queue.

I told her she would not get the food before the old women behind her. She threw tantrums and walked away. I told her to pray for long life and she would one day be an old woman.

At another ceremony, three young men tried to sneak behind the tent to join the line when the elderly were being served, I walked to them and asked them to either wait for their turn or leave the function.

But generally, the feedback I got from the three functions is that it worked. Meals were served in an orderly way. Luckily, the food was enough for everyone.

Society runs on its cherished values and traditions.  These values are better guarded if we teach our children their importance.  Children do not eat a lot of food but they are a curious lot.

What would a child register in their mind if they are trampled upon by adults because of meat? What would a child think about society if the adults eat the food at a function and they miss out or they are given left-overs?

We could influence the decisions our children will make in future about society by first caring for them today.

Bitterness, anger and lack of care for other vulnerable groups could be a result of small things like being harassed over food at a wedding reception.

If we want a society of less greed, less selfishness and less useless fights, let's shower our children with the traditions of care and service. Children are the heirs of our traditions.

The writer is a journalist