Child of Dandelions

The river of jubilant people alarmed Sabine as they bobbed along Allidina Visram Street in Kampala….The dark faces drew closer. Women in bright gomesi and headscarves danced, and bare-chested men punched their fists into the air, chanting, “Muhindi, nenda nyumbani! Indian go home.”Sabine felt she was drowning in their cries.In August 1972, President Idi Amin declares that a message from God has come to him in a dream: all foreign Indians must be “weeded out” of Uganda in the next ninety days. Fifteen-year-old Sabine and her father, a successful businessman, are confident that their family will not be affected, since they are Ugandan citizens, but Sabine’s fearful mother is certain that they will have to leave.As the ninety days tick by, the President’s message – the “countdown monster,” as Sabine calls it – is broadcast every day on the radio, and life becomes more difficult for her family and other Indians in Uganda. Sabine tries to hold on to her optimism, counting on her best friend, Zena, and her grandfather, Bapa, to keep her spirits up, but after her beloved uncle Zulfiqar disappears and Zena turns against her, Sabine begins to share her mother’s fears. When a new law is declared on the radio – all Indians must leave – Sabine and her family have a hard decision to make. Should they stay and defend their rights, or should they go? And how will they begin a new life in a different land?

See the review at WOW Review, Volume 4, Issue 2

Related: Africa, Historical Fiction, India, Intermediate (ages 9-14), Uganda, Young Adult (ages 14-18)

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One thought on “Child of Dandelions”

  1. Amanda says:

    In August 1972, President Idi Amin declares all foreign Indians must leave Uganda in the next ninety days, or else. Fifteen-year-old Sabine is conflicted whether or not her family will be affected. Her father, a successful businessman, is confident in their citizenship, since they are Ugandan citizens. Sabine’s mother is certain that they should leave immediately. As the countdown begins it is broadcasted every day on the radio. Life quickly becomes more difficult for her family. Sabine starts off confident like her father with the support of her best friend Zena and her grandfather Bapa. However when her closest uncle Zulifqar disappears and Zena turns against her, Sabine begins to doubt her and her familiy’s Ugandan citizenship. Eventually the law changes to ALL Indians must leave the country she is confronted by the questions of staying and defend their rights of do they leave and never look back?
    This story is another example of how history has a way of repeating itself. It is a version of the Holocaust, the targeting and exiling of a specific people. Sabine’s family was one of many that lived a lavish successful life that the African Ugandans did not have, her family was born in Ugandan and grew up there not knowing any different. However, like the past fear of a different kind drives the country to racism and cruelty. There were mass murders, bodies piling up in the rivers, home invasions of innocent families all because they were Indian. Many military officials were dirty, forcing young girls to do unspeakable things, promising to “save” their families. The entire country was broken, and after the Indians had left the country continued to fall apart. This story provided insight into history as well as current events. This type of behavior is still happening in countries around the world today. It is truly a devastating problem that makes you wonder why it is still happening? Why haven’t we learned from the past mistakes? Why can’t the violence and fighting just end?

    Reply

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