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!

Saying so long... for a while

I can never understand where time goes...it just moves so fast! That was especially true of my 2 week sojourn at home. I had a great time but as it became clear that I had to leave soon I grew more reflective. I now hold thoughts of my family closer than ever before. I thank God for them and I really know that they are immeasurable gift to help me carry on in life. I unfortuately did not see my brother but spoke to him and saw my Daddy who came to Timmy's graduation. They too are kept close in my heart. Timmy asked me the morning I was to leave 'why you look like that?' I said 'I will miss you!' Then I was so surprised at his response.."do not worry Mommy, you will soon come back" He is sooo big its amazing! That is the sustaining thought for the next few months... I will soon be home. So I must settle down to work doing my best to make God and everyone proud.

The Ropers...Last Sabbath before returning to the UK (June 28) @Aunt Joan's

On another note.... at the Norman Manley International Airport there are great changes! the departure lounge has moved upstairs and is looking really cool... it is still in transition but looking good.... will wait to see the finished product. Here are some shots!Looking out the concourseThe departures check in areaFrom the departure lounge there is a panoramic view of the tarmac

Shops in the lounge will look snazzy!

Timmy's graduation

Well well, I could hardly believe it...Timmy is now six years old and going off to Prepartory/primary school!! It seems like only yesterday that he was born and now he is heading on to a bigger school; I was so happy to be home to share in the moment. I am also grateful for the vision of Dr. and Mrs. D. Daway and the Kids of Vision family for helping both Timmy and Nathan to progress to the point that they are now at. Timothy reads well and has a grasp of numbers. He is also very thoughtful and inquisitive asking many questions and I believe he is ready for this new stage of his life. Nathan is also doing well considering his age and I hope that he will adjust to a new school environment. They will both be attending Emmanuel Christian Academy in the next school year as we do not wish to separate them at this time, not to mention the logistics of a two school pick up.

The backdrop for the graduation stage


The Graduating Class...all 7 of them!

The Kids of Vision's philosophy of small class sizes (his graduation class has 7 kids) and teaching children to think and not just learn by rote has especially helped Timothy who has displayed spectacular powers of reasoning. He also shows promise musically as he belted out the graduation song , the theme from "St. Elmo's Fire' on key which brought tears to my eyes; I will be making an effort to continue encouraging this aspect of his education. I would highy recommend the school to anyone. Please continue to keep them in your prayers as they move on academically.Nathan at prize giving

Timothy receiving his awards

Celebrating 9 years wonderful of togetherness

June 20th marked our 9th year of marriage. We can vividly remember that sunday morning when we exchanged our vows at Andrews SDA Church. We will be the first to tell you that the years have been a mixture of joy and dissapointments, highs and lows. We remain committed to each other and know that we have remained together because we have put God at the centre of our relationship. Without Him surely we would not have weathered the many challenges we have faced. We are grateful for family and friends who continue to give encouragement and prayers. We think that marriage is worth it! Our recommendations are to keep the lines of communications open and even when upset never refuse to pray together.

This is a picture of us in October 1999...oh have the years flown.

This year we kept our celebration simple;it was enough that we were able to be together considering that I am in the middle of studies. We had lunch at the Hilton and a very good talk. By God's grace we hope to be together for many more years. This is us on the Day!

The hotel brought out this lovely cake for us...really nice!

The Big Surprise!!

So after all the challenges of the last semester I had decided around April that I had to come home if only for a little while in the summer months. After much prayer, saving and consideration I booked a ticket for June 16. Then I had a goal to work towards. And I tell you it made quite a difference. So as the day approached my anticipation mounted. I had made the decision not to tell my family of the plan, lest I be persuaded to remain in the UK. So I made my way to Gatwick on the 1.50am coach...yes AM! It takes 5 hours by coach from my university to the airport. Then it was on the the gruelling 9 hour flight which seemed to take forever! But finally I touched down on the rock, heat and all. I called Paul from the airport to tell him I was coming home... at that point I do not know if he believed me or not! I spoke to Timmy too and told him I was able to negotiate the'deal' to get some time off school. He responded 'so when are you coming Mommy?' When I told him "today" he replied "Today? On the Plane? Today?"

Well I finally made it home... (Thanks Evette!!) the hugs were flowing and all the "boys" were pleasantly surprised and I am glad I am here. Nathan had grown so much it is frightening! and he has gotten so articulate too. As for Timmy I had to read bedtime story and all that night...I was kidnapped. Paul is just quietly thanking God I am sure in his owm inimitable stlye. So the surprise was a real one and well appreciated. I will be able to attened Timmy's graduation and celebrate my 9th wedding anniversary with the precious gift of a husband that God has blessed me with. And of course just being home is just fabulous...AHH!!! Nathan just came from the shower, But I had to get my hug! Daddy is looking on

My Timmy!

My Birthday... Moving Day

Being reflective on the day at church.

All hail another year of life! And what a year it has been. I am almost at the end of the school year with just about 3 months to go. It is onward to the dissertation which appears to be a formidable task. I am grateful to God for my family and friends who have stuck with me on this journey. The day started off quite sunny, very reminiscent of home. That was to change dramatically during the day in typical english stlye, as we therafter had rain and a drop in temperature. I went off to church and had a lovely time and returned to tackle the task of moving. You see, the Accomodations unit on campus have plans to renovate the flats that I was occupying, over the summer hence the imposed movement. I tell you , it is only when you are forced to move that you realise just how much things you can accummulate in a short space of time, especially as a student! It took many trips but at last the move was over. The new place is just like the previous one... small as ever! What to do? I must keep remembering the end is close at hand and work towards that final move.

In the throws of moving....

My friends from church were not finished with me though. They invited me to one's house the next day and had a nice caribbean dinner with saltfish fritters and thing! We had birthday cake and sang, while celebrating Father's Day. So all said, I am grateful to God for his goodness and strive to do His will in the coming year.

PAR-TAY FOR ME!
The Fath-Birth-day cake.

Visit to the International Labour Organization (ILO) Conference in Geneva, Switzerland

Friends, I was afforded the opportunity to attend the annual ILO conference in Geneva in June, 2008. The ILO is an arm of the United Nations which deals with Labour and employment standards worldwide. Over 100 countries are members and the tripartite is fully represented. Therefore governments, trade unions and employer bodies send delegates and discuss international labour policies for the advancement of workers and employment rights. The experience was exhilarating. To see so many peoples and cultures with differing languages in one place working towards the commn goal of uplifing labour standards and promoting a 'decent work agenda' was to say the least heartwarming. I look forward to more such opportunities as a further my career in this vast area of the law. The highlights are below.... enjoy! Me...Representing!The Jamaican DelegationJamaica's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Pearnel Charles addresses the conferenceThe Main conference hall in the United Nations Building

The main entrance of the ILO building.