Campus Family

For those of us who lived on campus you must admit that there are people who you drew close to and became attached like a real family during those times. There was the crazy brother, the sisters who you could talk to and of course the 'Mom' who just made even the worse day feel better. Well it was no different for me here at the UEA. I am grateful to God for sending me folkes who helped me when I was down and who I have been able to share with.

The Family at our final dinner together...minus Julie (in Mauritius)

L-R: Eduardo, Naima, me, Kevin... mom in the front.

While I lived in Hawthorn House in the UEA Village, there was Naima Besta from Tanzania who lived on my flat. We shared so much together as she was a Phd student with a family back home just like me (3 Children). So we talked and encouraged each other. She has now gone home to do pilot research but she will return in Sept 2008 to present her position paper and then go on to do substantive reasearch. She is a kind woman and very intelligent (recipient of a Ford Foundation Scholarship). I also learned about a new religion too, as she is a Muslim.

Naima looking Fab!

The mommy is Adelina Vandombembwa. She is from Angola. She is also a Chevening scholar. From the first time I met this lady I know she was special, very welcoming and warm to all she meets. I have learned a lot from her and lean a lot on her. I am especially happy for her as she makes sure that I eat well at least once a day as she never fails to cook a good meal... she does not want her kids to eat 'junk food'! That means bread and the like. I now have some new recipies to try when I come home for good!!

Mommy...coming from church!

The Brother is Eduardo Langa. He is from Mozambique and a Chevening scholar too. ( I am in the presence of greatness!!) He is quite mischievious and loves all things Jamaican especially Bob Marley music and pepper! He too has a family back home including a newborn son that he has not yet met and an elder daughter about 3 years old. He can always be depended on to run errands and of course wash dishes....although in recent times he is doing some cooking too!

Eduardo and the food!!! You see the pepper sauce, the locks and the red green and yellow necklace? Yes, it is rice and peas and curry chicken in a dutch pot! (I cooked that day)

Eduardo and Julie.. the clean up crew!

Our baby sister is Julie Hanta...this is not her full name but it too hard to write or pronounce! She is from Madagascar and also on a scholarship. Cute and cuddly and soft spoken she is a little treasure. She went off to do research in Mauritius for 2 months in April and has just returned. ...Oh yes her last name is RAZAFIMANAHAKA!!! (I told you it was hard)

Julie at the dinner table!

Finally our brother who lived away on the other side of campus is Kevin Crooks. He is American but we found out that both his parents are Jamaican. He is doing PHD work on small farms. I have been privilged to have helped him to make contact with RADA (Rural Agricultural Development Agency) in Jamaica so he is currently in JA doing his research. Quiet to a fault but with big dreams he has learned how to cook everything Jamaican so many times he came to the Village and lymed with us.

Kevin lyming with us!

So there you have it! my campus family. These guys hopefully will remain lifelong friends. Long will i remember those days at the dinner table with talk about world politics, family and of course the travails of school!