Ulusumo lunulo lufumilile kulikujo lya kale lya jiafrika, umo abhanhu bhilangaga gubhitila mubhumaniji giki umunhu uyo obhitilia maluho nulu likoye agaimanaga isolobho ya wambilija. Umunhu uyo opandika nzala ayimanile isolobho ya jiliwa, uyo opandika nota ayimanile isolobho ya minzi, nuyo opandika makoye agayimanaga isolobho ya wambilija ubho obhupandika ahikanza lyenilo. Hunagwene abhanhu bhagayomba giki, “uyo ali nikoye huyo aimanile isolobho ya wambilija.”

Ulusumo lunuyo, lugalenganijiyagwa kuli munhu uyo agapandikaga makoye  matale opandika wambilija bho gufumila kubhiye umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho. Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agalumbilijaga ukuwambilija ubho agabhupandikaga gufumila kubhiye kunguno ya gwingijiwa amakoye ayo alinago, umukikalile kakwe kenako. Uweyi agamalaga makoye mingi aha kaya yakwe yiniyo, kunguno ya witegeleja bhokwe ubho guidebha isolobho ya wambilija ubho agabhupandikaga, umuwikaji bhokwe bhunubho.

Umunhu ng’wunuyo, agikolaga nuyo agabhizukaga abhanhu abho bha ng’wambilija aho ali namakoye, kunguno nuweyi agabhalumbilijaga abho bhagang’wambilijaga ugugamala wangu amakoye ga ha kaya yakwe yiniyo, umuwikaji bhokwe. Hunagwene agayombaga giki, “uyo ali nikoye huyo aimanile isolobho ya wambilija.”

Ulusumo lunulo lolanga bhanhu higulya ya kubhiza na witegeleja bho gubhalumbilija abhanhu abho bhabhambilija ugugamala amakoye ayo bhalinago, kugiki bhadule kujibheja chiza ikaya jabho, umuwikaji bhobho bhunubho.

Mathayo 25:35–40.

Mithali 19:17.

Wagalatia 6:2.

Luka 6:38.

1Yohana 3:17–18.

SWAHILI: MWENYE SHIDA NDIYE AJUAYE THAMANI YA MSAADA.

Methali hii inatokana na hekima ya jamii za jadi za Kiafrika, ambapo watu walijifunza kutokana na uzoefu kwamba mtu aliyepitia mateso au shida anaelewa umuhimu wa fadhili, msaada, na mshikamano. Mtu aliyewahi kupata njaa huthamini chakula, aliyewahi kuona kiu huthamini maji, na aliyekabiliwa na matatizo huuelewa umuhimu wa mtu anayetoa msaada wakati mwafaka. Ndiyo maana watu husema kwamba, “Mwenye shida ndiye ajuaye thamani ya msaada.”

Methali hii hulinganishwa kwa mtu yule anayekabiliwa na matatizo, umaskini, ugonjwa, upweke, au uhitaji mwingine mkubwa na hupokea msaada kutoka kwa mtu mwingine maishani mwake. Mtu wa namna hiyo anaelewa kuwa hata tendo dogo la fadhili linaweza kuleta mabadiliko makubwa kutokana na mateso aliyopitia maishani. Yeye hufanikiwa kutatua matatizo yake kwa sababu ya kuthamini misaada yote anayopewa na wengine maishani mwake.

Mtu huyu hufanana na yule anayewakumbuka watu waliosimama naye wakati wa nyakati ngumu. Mtu kama huyo hauchukulii msaada kijuujuu bali huwathamini wale walioonesha huruma, ukarimu, na upendo wakati msaada ulipohitajika zaidi. Ndiyo maana yeye husema kwamba, “Mwenye shida ndiye ajuaye thamani ya msaada.”

Methali hii huwafundisha watu juu ya kuthamini msaada, kujali fadhili, na kuwasaidia wenye uhitaji. Inatukumbusha kuwa matatizo yanaweza kuwafundisha watu mambo ambayo faraja pekee haiwezi kufundisha.

Pia inahimiza jamii kutenda kwa huruma. Hatupaswi kuwapuuza wale wanaoteseka. Mchango mdogo wa chakula, fedha, muda, maneno ya kutia moyo, au maombi unaweza kuwa na thamani kubwa kwa mtu mwenye uhitaji.

Methali hii pia hufundisha kuwa na moyo wa shukrani kwa wale wale wanaotenda mema. Mtu aliyepitia shida anapaswa kuwakumbuka watu waliomsaidia na inapowezekana, kuonesha fadhili hizo hizo kwa wengine.

Mathayo 25:35–40. Yesu anafundisha kwamba kumpa chakula mwenye njaa, kinywaji mwenye kiu, kuwakaribisha wageni, kuwavika wenye uhitaji, na kuwatembelea wagonjwa na wafungwa ni tendo la kumtumikia Yeye.

Mithali 19:17. “Amhurumiaye maskini humkopesha BWANA; naye atamlipa kwa tendo lake.” Hii inafundisha kuwa Mungu huthamini fadhili kwa watu wenye uhitaji.

Wagalatia 6:2. “Chukuaneni mizigo ya ninyi kwa ninyi, na hivyo mtaitimiza sheria ya Kristo.” Wakristo wanaitwa kusaidiana nyakati za shida.

Luka 6:38. Yesu anafundisha watu kutoa kwa ukarimu, akiahidi kuwa ukarimu huo utawarudia kwa wingi.

1 Yohana 3:17–18. Wakristo wanakumbushwa kutozungumzia upendo tu, bali kuudhihirisha kwa matendo halisi kuelekea wale wenye uhitaji.

Kauli isemayo “Mwenye uhitaji ndiye ajuaye thamani ya msaada” inatukumbusha kuwa watu wanaopitia magumu wanaelewa thamani halisi ya huruma. Hivyo, Wakristo na wanajamii hawapaswi kusubiri hadi wao wenyewe wakumbwe na matatizo ndipo wajifunze kuthamini na kutoa msaada. Tunapaswa kuwasaidia wengine kwa hiari, kwa sababu wema tunaoutoa leo unaweza kuwa tumaini analolihitaji mtu kesho.

ENGLISH: THE PERSON IN NEED IS THE ONE WHO KNOWS THE VALUE OF HELP.

This proverb comes from the wisdom of traditional African communities, where people have learned through experience that a person who has suffered hardship understands the importance of kindness, assistance, and solidarity. A person who has experienced hunger appreciates food, one who has experienced thirst values water, and one who has faced difficulties understands the importance of someone who offers help at the right moment. That is why people say, “the person in need is the one who knows the value of help.”

This proverb is compared to a person who faces difficulties, poverty, sickness, loneliness, or another serious need and receives assistance from another person in his life. Such a person understands that even a small act of kindness can make a great difference because of the suffering which has has experienced in life. He manages to solve his problems because of appreciating all supports which others give to him, in his life. 

This person resembles someone who remembers the people who stood beside him or her during difficult times. Such a person does not take help for granted but appreciates those who showed compassion, generosity, and love when help was most needed. That is why he says, “The person in need is the one who knows the value of help.”

This proverb teaches people to value assistance, appreciate kindness, and help those who are in need. It reminds us that difficulties can teach people lessons that comfort alone cannot teach.

It also encourages communities to practice compassion. When we have enough, we should not ignore those who are suffering. A small contribution of food, money, time, encouragement, or prayer may become very valuable to someone in need.

The proverb also teaches gratitude. A person who has experienced hardship should remember the people who helped him and, when possible, extend the same kindness to others.

Matthew 25:35–40.  Jesus teaches that giving food to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, welcoming strangers, clothing the needy, and visiting the sick and imprisoned is an act of serving Him.

Proverbs 19:17.  “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done.” This teaches that God values kindness toward people in need.

Galatians 6:2.  “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Christians are called to support one another in times of difficulty.

Luke 6:38.  Jesus teaches people to give generously, promising that generosity will return to them in abundance.

1 John 3:17–18. Christians are reminded not merely to speak about love but to demonstrate love through practical actions toward those in need.

 “The person in need is the one who knows the value of help” reminds us that people who experience hardship understand the true worth of compassion. Therefore, Christians and members of the community should not wait until they themselves are in trouble before learning to appreciate and offer help. We should help others willingly, because the kindness we give today may become the hope someone needs tomorrow.