A New Friend

This is my friend Gabriel. He is a Damara man living in Tsumeb. He stays at the local old age home. I first met him in December when we were training here. We spent a day with the old folks that month, sang songs and stuff. When I returned in January Gabriel came to Meameno Center to visit me. We have had some good conversations. His English is surprisingly good for a man his age. Most of the older folks here don’t speak English. They grew up learning Afrikaans, as well as their mother tongue.

I told Gabriel we would be planting some fruit tree saplings at the center. We want to sell them to create some income for our HIV/AIDS support group. Well, he showed up the next week with a mango sapling for us. What a kind thing to do. On Saturday, I visited him and others at the old folks home. I brought them a big bag of oranges. Gabriel was happy to see me. It’s really something how the old folks light up when they get visitors. It seems it was like that in the states too. I’m sure many of them still have family that visits from time to time, but I don’t think that’s the same as a friend or even a stranger. I kind of wish I had done it more back home. I bet some of our old folks have great stories to tell. I never really got to talk to my grandpas who were in WWII. They died when I was very young. It would be something to know more about their war stories, or anybody else’s for that matter. I’m becoming more interested in history lately. I guess I’m just saying we should take advantage of the time we have with our elders while they’re still around. I’m making my parents write life stories for me, even though they’re still a couple of spring chickens. They’ve just started and I’ve already learned so much I didn’t know about them! I think they’re enjoying the process too.

If anybody is planning to send me a package soon, here are some ideas:
-Gabriel could use a pair of sneakers size 9-10. Any condition is fine.
-Gabriel is also looking for a pen pal if anybody wants to write him. E-mail me if you’re interested and I can get you his address. Or send it to me and I'll get it to him.
-Things for Meameno Center: markers (any kind), sticky gunk (to hang posters, etc), a dictionary, small dry erase board, pencils and sharpener, pens, clipboard
-Sweet & Salty Nut granola bars, M&Ms, crunch&munch
-Pictures (any)
-Book about gardening (like for dummies cause I aint dun it before)

Please remember these are not dire needs, just ideas. You can send something tomorrow or in 9 months. It’s all good. My address is in the left column. I really appreciate the things you have already sent me. The letters and notes mean the world to me. Any day I get mail is a good day. Thanks a bunch!!!