one more story

I was walking around the health clinic today when one of the CHWs (community health workers) I employ came up to me with a baby in her arms and a demanding look on her face. She held out her baby and said something about me buying the baby a napkin of some sort. Now, I've been approached a countless number by Zambians who have demanded (not asked... demanded) that I do certain things for them -- buy them food, buy them water, buy them umbrellas, buy them hats, buy them soda, marry them, etc. I've become accustomed to politely ignoring unreasonable demands. So I ignored the woman.

But she was very persistent. She kept on shoving the baby into my face and saying something about needing to buy the baby something. I walked away for a bit, but later, another CHW came back with the same baby.

"What is going on?" I think.

They start telling me about the baby, but in slower accented English, and I finally begin to understand. The original CHW had been missing for a while during our project, and I remembered just then that it was because she had delivered a baby... and the baby they were showing me was that baby. I nodded my head in understanding.

Then they told me that the name of the baby was Christina, in "honor of me" running the project while she was having the baby.

I didn't know what to say or think. She must be kidding. Was she lying? There's no way she would name her own child after me. She doesn't even know me that well. I'm not even that nice or kind or generous. To them, I'm the strict Chinese-looking American who refuses to give them salary raises.

I asked the women if they were lying.

"Yeah right, you can't be serious!" I said.

"It's true." the women said.

"Show me the birth certificate to prove it," I said

"There are no birth certificates," they said. "The child will receive an under 5 card, but not yet this baby is still too young."

At that point, I had to go do something else. But I don't know what to say or think  Was she serious? Is her name really Christina? And if it is, did she really name it after me? More likely, she thought my name was pretty and decided to use it. But still.... to name a baby after me? ......................... why would she do that? I would be unbelievably honored if she really did name it after me... but is it for any good reason?