“Adaaga Naalya” is a timeless African proverb from the Busoga region of Uganda. Translated, it means, “The one who struggles is the one who eats.” Though brief, these words carry a depth of wisdom that speaks to the heart of human experience. They remind us that meaningful reward only follows effort. To struggle is not simply to suffer; it is to engage in hard work, enterprise, creativity, problem solving, resilience, and discipline. It is to show up even when it’s hard, to build when others doubt, to persist when the journey seems long.
And to “eat” is more than the act of consuming food—it is to enjoy the fruits of your labor, to live a fulfilled life, to provide for your family, and to walk with dignity and satisfaction. It is to arrive at a point where your sweat has turned into sweetness.
Yet in today’s world, the idea of struggle is often rejected. Many seek the shortcut, the quick deal, the promise of easy riches. Scams abound—fake jobs, miracle money, gambling, fraudulent investments, schemes dressed up as golden opportunities.
These temptations promise the reward without the process. They offer to help you eat without making you struggle. But life, in its quiet wisdom, does not bend to such illusions. There is no harvest where nothing has been planted. There is no lasting wealth where no work has been done. The proverb calls us back to what matters: showing up, working hard, being honest, staying the course.
Struggle today may not look like it did for our ancestors. It may not be physical labor in the fields. It might be waking up early to work on a dream. It might be burning the midnight oil to pass exams. It might be saying no to corruption in a world that rewards shortcuts. It might be learning a new skill, raising a family with love, or managing your small earnings with wisdom and integrity. Each act of effort, no matter how small, is part of the struggle. And each one adds up to something real, something lasting.
To the one who is tempted to give up—to the one who feels unseen and unrewarded—let this proverb be your comfort. Your hard work is not in vain. Your day will come. The soil you till in sweat will bear fruit. The patient builder always sees the house rise. The persistent farmer always sees the green shoot break the earth. The one who struggles is indeed the one who eats.
Let us not fear struggle. Let us not despise small beginnings. Let us not envy those who eat without having worked, for what is gained without effort cannot satisfy. Instead, let us honour the journey, knowing that every honest effort brings us closer to our reward.
In a noisy world that sells the illusion of ease, may we hold on to this ancient truth from Busoga: Adaaga Naalya. The one who struggles is the one who eats. May that be your story.
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