Everyday Violence in the Time of AIDS 107
“Some People Are Eaten and Some People Are Eaters”
Juma had many things to say about the events of his life and his experiences on the streets. In July 2006, just three weeks before his death, we sat together on the rocks overlooking Lake Victoria—as we had done on many occasions—and I listened to Juma as he reflected on his past and expressed his thoughts and hopes for the future:
Juma: I know that for myself, I would like to become a doctor some day. Every day I see the suffering of people. Every day. Every day of my life. And I am one of them. I suffer too. [I am] always going around hungry and . . . [have] nothing. And this is all I see. Shit. As a doctor I could help people with their suffering. Do you know this? This would be the number one thing for me. This would be the number one most important thing. To become a doctor. I can’t do this [gesturing toward the streets] for the rest of my life. Truly, it will kill me. No, this is all practice to become self-reliant. This life on the streets is like a teacher, it is like school, eh? Do you know that it is teaching me the number one thing: to become my own person. To be tough. I am much different from how I was when you last saw me. I am a tough nyenga boy! [Laughs]. I am much stronger and self-reliant than I was before. I think that I can handle any situation. Before I was just a kid, a scared little shit. Now? Now, I’m becoming a man. A man! [Yells out over the lake while beating his chest].
CL: “So, a doctor . . .
J: Yes. Truly. Do you know that I can do this? This is what I need to do . . . is to receive an education. But this is difficult for somebody like me. No money for books, for tuition, for a school uniform, nothing. It is expensive. This is the only thing holding me back. This fucking money. . . . But you know this [street children’s organization] can offer me an education for free . . . well, you have to work and stay with them. You know. When the time is right, I will enter that place. Then I will become a doctor [starts dancing around the rocks]. But you know I can enter that place any time I want. I know that guy who works there . . . [mentions the name of an outreach worker]. I will do that just as soon as the time is right. But I like my freedom now, so I’m not ready to enter just yet. Soon, soon, soon, soon, soon. Like maybe in one year. My education on the streets is not yet over [laughs]. I’m telling you the truth.
[Break in the conversation as we go swimming. Afterward, as we dry off, we hear American rock music begin playing from the Capri Point neighborhood, where most of the white population lives, and where DeBeers, the South African diamond corporation, has constructed an extensive network of elaborate mansions. Juma stares in the direction of the music for a moment and begins an exaggerated dance.]