By Abdulrasaq kamaldeen
The term Yaro and Yarinya in UDUS is understood as an errand boy and errand girl. I can say the majority of students see this set of people as miserable beings because of their appearances and attitudes sometimes. This notion often comes from southerners and maybe parts of their counterparts; the northerners.
Yaro boys and Yarinya girls are meant to assist students in their chores like washing clothes, washing plates, fetching water, and running errands in exchange of money or food. When l was a week old in school, l was shocked to see a yaro boy of around 7 years doing this Kind of thing. I questioned myself whether they had parents or relatives because the work is beyond their age and capacity. Well, they have to strive for survival with what they got: l concluded.
The funniest part is that they will be advertising themselves to notify students that they have arrived at the hostel. If they don’t do this, what other option do they have? They are the real hustlers, here in UDUS; do any kind of chores regardless of its difficulties with the exception of cooking. I doubt you will love them making your meal, smile. These guys will rather work with an atom of compensation than be full-time beggars– the real definition of contentment.
The first people that will welcome students to the campus as a new student or returning student are Yaro boys. I could flashback to the first-day l stepped to UDUS for my confirmation letter. I encountered Yaro boys trying to offload luggages. I was wondering who they were; who were they? A plethora of questions filled my thoughts while soliloquising. When a bus arrives they run like a person who has a welcome gift to give. Thanks to a returning student who revealed their identity to us. What baffled me most is their agility and fitness to lift heavy loads.
Last note, in appearance, these guys might be dirty but they are not, the reason why they look like this: they don’t have money to furnish their shelves as they put on tattered clothes for years on themselves. They are the sons and daughters of UDUS; they are part of our existence. Hence, inhumane acts against them is tantamount to the inconvenience of the entire student’s community. Just like the buga goon once said: “I come from nothing; now, I’m doing many things…” honor will later be under their control. The yaro boys we see today as inferiors might become John Bidden tomorrow. Life is change; change is life.