POSTAL CARD
WELCOME TO EUROPE
COPYRIGHT DICHO DISHASHI ILUNGA 2006
POSTAL CARD
WELCOME TO EUROPE
LIST OF CHAPTERS
CHAPTER ONE: the departure.
CHAPTER TWO: The arrival.
CHAPTER TREE: The job.
CHAPTER FOUR: The toys division.
CHAPTER FIVE: The meeting with the priest.
CHAPTER SIX: The parcels.
CHAPTER SEVEN: The distribution.
CHAPTER EIGHT: Celebration.
CHAPTER NINE: Postal Card.
CHAPTER TEN: Traditional food.
CHAPTER ELEVEN: Long days.
CHAPTER TWELVE: Samba's cure.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Resurrection.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Who killed Samba?
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: Samba's burial.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Life without a brakes
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: The cultures clashes
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: The reunion.
Names to be used as surnames, places and all the missing's names: Kanana, Tobiyala, Mayanga, Mamedu, Mungu, Nyembo, Nyamena, Omba, Oscar, Bongani, Zozo, Punyaka, Tico Tico, Dinha, Phiri, Qaxaso, Qumbosa, Juma, Ilungile,
Other: Ren�, Gilbert, Fabien, Jumeau, Jacques, Jude, Luc, Daniel, Jeremie, Bienvenue, Esther, Mary.
Names in Europe: Benoit, Laurant, Samuel, Jean Claude, Claudine and Bernadette and Augustine( women), Pierre, Pontier, Jean Marie, Jacque Paul, Samson, Henry, Philemon.
CHAPTER ONE: THE DEPARTURE
NOTE TCHA TCHA CAN BE WRITE TOO AS TSHA TSHA
Independence, Tcha Tcha (Tsha Tsha)
what a beautiful day.
Independence, Tcha Tcha
Here we are.
Independence, Tcha Tcha
We are free now.
Independence, Tcha Tcha
around the world.
from north to south, Tcha Tcha
no more slavery.
From west to east, Tcha Tcha
let celebrate.
Independence, Tcha Tcha
no more war
woman and men, Tcha Tcha
beautiful day.
America, Africa, Tcha Tcha
no more cry.
Europe, Asia, Tcha Tcha
no more inequality.
black and white, Tcha Tcha
we are together as one
Asian, Indian, Tcha Tcha
Uhuru(freedom) has arrived.
Independence, Tcha Tcha
no more apartheid.
Independence, Tcha Tcha
no more discriminations
Independence, Tcha Tcha
justice for everybody
Independence, Tcha Tcha
different colours one people.
Independence, Tcha Tcha
the coming of Uhuru.
Independence, Tcha Tcha
beautiful day.
It was the most popular anthem of that a new era. As the songs was sing all the corner of the country. They long waited day has arrived.
It was just when the Congo got independence from Belgium and many African's countries got they independance, because of the need in the country to have more educated people to take responsibility of affairs and fill the vacuum left by the colonists that many young people got bursary to go and study in Europe.
Shabani was one them. Shabani�s mother was against the departure of his son to Europe, fearing the revenge of European�some whom where chased leaving behind all the belonging and country their have chosen as their adoptive land. As a woman in Africa she didn�t have power over her husband to stop the departure of her son Shabani. Shabani's fianc�e was also against his departure because she felt without the presence of Shabani her relationship with Shabani's mother could worsen. Shabani refused to take mother's friend daughter that was chosen by Shabani�s mother as fianc�e. People of the community were against some were concern about his safety. But Shabani's father was for his departure, it was him and locals priests who pushed Shabani to accept and take this opportunity. Shabani�s father was one of the fewer parents who had completed 4 years of school in the community and was well respected in the all community. Shabani Zoao after completed secondary school was chosen with other 3 others students from different communities in Africa to go in Europe to complete their tertiary school. Shabani was the first man to have a matrix certificate in the village Kitwe. Those tree students were from different neighbouring village in the same district of Banza about 200 miles away from the capital city.
Londi, the community leader approached Samba's Shabani father their sat at the back of Shabani father's traditional house in a temperature of more than 38 degree. Most of the houses were built with the Thatcher and bricks. The community leader in his late sixties wearing a traditional hat told Samba Shabani's father: "Samba, we have been all concern about your decision to let Shabani go to Europe. I know that he is your son."
Shabani was son Samba, he is also son of the community and Londi's son according to their tradition. Don�t forget that he was a friend Londi's children. They grew him up and Londi saw them developing and some how they all contributed in his life.
Samba lighted the local cigar, cough and answered to the concern man: "I respect your concern but I will never stop my son from further studies."
Samba remembered when priest were recruiting people for school his parents were against him going to school. Today they come with their letters, pictures and magazines asking for the explanation. If Samba had an opportunity like my son I could further my studies. He studied the highest school level in that school of 4 years only.
In this community were more than 90 % were illiterate. Shabani was lucky to study 12 years in a period when Africa had few schools. Many villages had no schools. They had to walk miles to attend schools. Thank that in the district of Banza the catholic church built many school and the priests were managing the rural schools.
The old man shaken by Samba answer stood up moved his chair toward Samba: "I understand what your are saying. Knowing to read and write it is what is important, what do you want more?"
The unchangeable man answered: "I want my son to be clever enough�who knows he may be able to makes also airplane?"
"I tell you that Whites will never show, reveal secret to your to your son."
Londi believed that Europeans have to the Magic stuff of European that belong only to them Even a simple mechanism to make bicycle or razor are kept to them self. Magic stuff was the interpretation of the new technology. For them for example airplane was still view as the flying way of the European using human blood to operate. Human who dies from accident...
Londi told his country man: "Stop dreaming my brother"
Samba the semi literate man had another idea: "I still believe that white people are not so bad as you think."
He reminded his country man that before the arrival of white people we use to wear animals skins and trees leaves for him it was bad way to protect the body from weather and private part while many African do not see any bad doing in wearing in the traditional way. Few people still loves the old ancestors traditional style of wearing clothes.
Londi was scared that the chassed colonists still have fresh memories of leaving our country: beaten, insulted, humiliated�
When the country got the independence many people wanted to revenge the people who brought civilization in the land. For many they even misunderstood the independence. For many independence was taking away all the things that belonged to the Europeans. It was a misery for many colonists has the lost in matter of days all the effort they invested over many years.
Many colonist were forced to leave the land and the post overnight. And Londi like many people feared that the European will revenge for the humiliation and things they lost in the land they loved. Very few European were left in the country. Some of the colonist who were still on the continents were priests.
Shabani's father was quiet educated and know what is going on in the world better than many friend: "They were just a minority of European in this land. The majority of Europeans never wanted to live their comfortable life to come and struggle in African with mosquitoes, unfamiliar whether, with uncivilized people"
"Which minority are you talking about. The were many Europeans in our land. They are very few in their and most of them were here."
Samba shook his head: "I have been in touch with priests I have seen in the films, there are many even more whites people in the world than Africans. I saw very a big market with many white people as bees."
The Europeans were just a minority on the continents. In some area like in the district of Banza the Europeans didn't even make the 0,01 % of the population. In some big town they only made about the 1% of the total population. But they had the best position in the land. It was a big disappointment for many African who thought that after the independence they will all have the best job. Just to realize that nothing changed. Only very few African and a small percentage of the African did get those opportunities. For the majority of the population nothing changed.
Many trouble was coming just after the independence, come new challenges the tribal conflict and the birth of the new dictators. The one who had the opportunity to have a better post will hire people from his clans and his best friend regardless they qualification. The new generals, officers and dignitaries some of them couldn't even read properly.
They had also very few choices as many people were not educated yet too. The majority of people who celebrated the independence day were disappointed and many were regretting the departure of many colonists. Only thousand people benefited from the independence while millions didn't benefit.
Londi and many villagers believed and had the impression that at school white are giving some stuff to blind you the student because they were not thinking the traditional way anymore. To let forget the reason. It why our ancestors told us that if you want to be stupid go to school.
Samba was still determined to let his son to furthers his studies. They were few under construction universities on the continent. They only way to further the studies was to go overseas: "Look, I will never change your mind. I have been visiting with the priest for a long time. I don�t believe that that the will to lie me"
In that period all the priests were whites and very few African were studying and few of them graduated already. Samba was a very dedicated catholic church follower and one of his son was in seminary studying to become one of few African priest. The old man warn him: "Man they will decapitate and eat Shabani alive." He blamed Samba for supporting his son's departure to Europe. "How can you be able to know what will happen to your son and also they don�t eat Pap as us. I always see them eating bread and soup. Tell me how a black man may live on soup and bread? This is an insult to our ancestors."
Pap was the most eaten food eat in African cooked with maize and Cassava mill. Samba disagreed: "He will get use to them as a human: Blacks and White are all human. We use to have some cannibal tribe in Africa". This practice was one of the most difficult to eradicate for the colonist. It only by continually preaching and the reinforcement of the law that few cannibal tribes that existed in the land had give up those practices. "but in Europe there are no cannibal there."
"Man" Londi warned Samba "if a White hear you talking like this: white and black are equal and both human. Man, they will put for life in jail and even killed"
They believed that in Europe they jail people who don�t speak properly English or people who don't speak properly French, Spanish and Portuguese. They believed that it was an insult to compare the two races and they viewed white were superior to African because the colonization were white and brought the new technology in Africa. But very few African were aware that all the races were the equal.
Samba was one of the few people who had access to the information in a village where Television were not existent only few people had radio.
The all country were relying on the national radio station broadcasting from the capital of the country Kinshasa 200 miles away:
"I have been visiting priests for more than 20 years" Samba said "I have seen many priests coming and going, don�t tell me about facts that doesn�t exist."
Londi, the old leader of the community who never go to church didn't have trust in Samba: "You are protecting your friends Priest who always gives you some clothes and salt."
The priest used to give many villagers clothes and other gift. They surnamed the church as a place were to get goods in the villager. The villager conservative refused to be part of the church even thought the priests used to give them gifts.
"We will never find a final conclusion." Samba said "You have your opinion that I respect try also to respect mine."
The man warned him: "I agree with you, we will never get a final conclusion .As I said Shabani is your son and son of the community to. If something bad happen to your son you and your local priests will be punished severely. I will take community as my witness."
The night before the departure of Shabani. The father called a family meeting some where even from far as 100 km who came to say good bye and wish him good luck. Every body wanted to talk to him, Shabani didn�t have enough time to chart to his fianc�e Payo. The mother kept telling the daughter in law that she hated: "Shabani will get married to a white woman you will see and I will be having colored grand children. They will send us a walking house (walking house mean car) and a bicycle. I will be going to the farm riding my bicycle."
It was part of the culture to come and wish and bless the man who is leaving. It was an event that every body from an extended family members has to be there. Especially Shabani was traveling to a country of White. Many people didn't know where was Europe, some believed that it was next to heaven because people used airplanes.
The ceremony taking place outside Samba's main house. Where lived his first wife.
It was a luxury to have a bicycle that time in Africa.
As time was going very quiet they decide to call every body to the family meeting around a fire set in the middle night. Everybody had to talk and gives his wishes.
Thando, the elder of the family who was 90 years old, most of them didn�t know exactly his age. He was trembling speaking shaking all his body: "Shabani my great grand son we are all happy to be part of your blessing. In the name of our God and ancestor, I want to wish you all the best. may God bless you may in everything you touch turn success. You are the proud of all the family. May the name Shabani Zoao name of our great lieutenant be fruit of success."
He took some water slowly with his shaking hand drank and gave the same glass to Shabani and the rest of water to Shabani to drink. Then come the turn of Tamaya one of Shabani's uncle to bless the student: "Shabani blood Zoao of ancestors that flow in the family vein be the best among the best. May God and ancestors protect you in this long journey. I crash all bad spirit who may come on your way. Zoao blood of this family be blessed in your journey. You must return and join the ancestor in the land of birth (die).
After the pray he asked the student not to forget them. For Tamaya he wanted the best that you find in the land of white and he promised to bless him more. He demanded too some clothes that he will find in that land. He wanted to see his family's members wearing clothes like priests. It is very difficult to have clothes here that place. He confessed to have only 2 pants that he got 6 years back when his daughter was married.
Clothes was still a luxury in many African villages in the sixties. The priests were one of the people wearing nice clothes. They didn't care about labels of clothes but care only of a any clothes to wear. They didn't care much about shoes.
Bicycle was one of the biggest fortune in the land. It help them to travel and collect their farming products. A man having a bicycle was viewed to be very rich.
Some few curious neignbours where watching the family ceremony at midnight outside Samba's first wife house.
An other member of the family took the opportunity to bless him and asked what they expect from Samba: "Shabani, you have made us proud. May God and ancestors bless you in all your works. Never turn to be a stranger to your family remember us in all you will be doing. Don�t forget to send us some clothes as your uncle said, The family blood is in your vein .We have one common blood. Don�t forget the community who has contributed to your success. We plead you to keep respecting everybody as respect is the foundation of our culture. We will daily miss you, don�t forget I am asking you a small radio like the one priests have."
The priests were like the most envied people in this community.
The mother was not allowed to talk as other women too. The entire night was full of blessing by different members of the community and family's members. Everybody was asking for clothes and bicycles. In Africa the neighbours and people from the extended family include friends were all part of the family.
The father took a turn, he was the last one to talk in public. Samba advised his son in public for his better understanding: "My son, I had a chance to go to school for few years I could have studied further if I had the opportunity. My son I beg you not to forget our culture. Don�t take someone else wife, don�t even touch someone else thing, money and wife are the devil of this World don�t forget your family that you are leaving behind. Work hard don�t let the bad habit to take you. Remember to pray every day of your life, don�t forget the church morning service and specially the Sunday service. I have been fighting with your mother, fianc�e and people in the community to convince them that going to White country was best for you and family not forgetting your community. I beg you not to let your personal desire take control of you"
The morning, every body wake up early. The father conducted the praying session where some of the elders of the family didn�t attend because they were not believing in Jesus Christ they were still link 100% to they ancestors. Neighbors come also to say good bye, it was one of the sad moment when every women were crying. The father looked his son couldn�t hold back the tears for while to avoid further stress he went to wept in the bathroom, He comes back pretending to be in control. Many didn�t know if they may see each other again. The fianc�e lost appetite the day before couldn�t hold her tears also. She was worried how she be living with her mother in law as the one who calmed them was leaving, and didn't know when to see him again.
Bernard the priest arrived with the car to fetch him:
The mother approaches her son and said her wish in secret: "Get married to a white woman."
She gave him a parcel of local food to eat in the plane and not forgetting the local food Pap (food cooked with maize powder).
everybody looked desperately the car leaving.
The young man who was leaving Kitwe arrived in the capital city Kinshasa and didn't have a chance to visit that capital central city. The priest who was driving him take him straight to the airport.
He had a chance to see from the car window the building left by colonist in Kinshasa. He saw only the city in the pictures from the magazines and geographical book. He visited Kinshasa twelve times he had many relatives but all of them were living in the poor suburbs of the city called townships. It was the first time to see the modern side of the city. A big city home to about 3 millions peoples.
Shabani saw from far the airplanes parked in the airplanes. He was amazed to see many planes. He was the first man from his family to travel from his family. A big accomplishment for the man who went to school. For sometime he felt happy that the sacrifices has paid of.
After 3 hours of formalities at the airport he entered the waiting room accompany by Father Bernard the priest helping him to travel. It wasn't easy to travel by airplane that time. He had to pass about 12 barriers were they were controlling him, checking him. He had to show many papers: identity, vaccine's card more than 6 vaccines card include Polio. Then he had to show shi schools reports of all those years, he had to show his baptism card, and photocopy his parents document.
He was feeling already tired, he had very few hours of sleep. When he wanted to catch the sleep in the morning father Bernard hooted for him to rush into his car.
Bernard the priest helped him a lot in the formalities and he was the one who helped him to get a scholarship too. They were 4 students from the villages close to Kitwe to fly for Europe but he didn't have a time to see his tree colleagues. They were also accompanied by their guardian and the priests.
Just after the independence of Congo many Belgians flew back to Europe, the few European left were the priest and missionaries and few businessmen.
Shabani when heard that his plane was ready. He took a small bag he had of about 10 kilos. He didn't brings clothes because he knew that he will get more clothes in Europe. He had his document and food given by his mother.
Shabani rushed into the plane as in the local buses and went to sit in the front seat. After less than 5 minutes a tall, strong and giant man come claimed the seat. Without any hesitation he left the chair and went to sit to an other seat. After the big man come now a rude lady come to claim the seat: "Man?" He said "Are you mad? What are you doing on my seat?"
Shabani couldn�t understand what was going on. Coincidence all the two people who claimed their seat where as most the passengers in that plane. He said to himself: "All those whites passengers are racist and don't want me in this plane? I was the first to find those seats but they want me to travel standing up for the 9 hours flight. They don�t want me to sit."
He said that things have changed now they were all equal, they were are independent now. For him they were definitely bad peoples, they don�t want to admit that things have changed. He decided and said to himself: "Any way why must we discuss and get in trouble because of seat? Like in the bus when there is no seat available we seat on the floors. I will seat on the floor, any way we will all reach our destination sitting on floor or on the seat."
He said that if he takes an other seat an other man will claim it.
Every body were looking at him like a stranger and were scared to approach him, they didn�t know why he decided to sit on the floor. His future colleagues who come little bit late were at the back seats. Lucky for him a co-pilot on his way met a man standing with his bag in the plane's corridor.
The co-pilot asked him: "Can I help you young man?"
"I am tired" He complained "every seat I take people are coming to claim them. In buses we seat on empty seat that we find. It doesn�t matter if you leave your seat and go to the toilet and someone else can take the seat�You don�t have to reclaim it again sir but here it turn that I don�t deserve to have a seat"
The co-pilot couldn't get what the man was trying to explain for the example of local buses: "Man we cannot allow you traveling standing with your bag in the corridor. It never happen in ours planes even in others companies �Can I see your ticket? Even in the bus traveling long distance there are seat numbers."
Shabani gave him his plane ticked and the co-pilot look at the ticked and told him: "My friend they didn�t forget a seat for you. You are number 54 go and seat there next to that young lady"
The man saw his seat number:
"Oh!" he was pleased at last "I thought the were no seat number thank you for your help"
He took his bag and went to sit next to the young and lovely lady. The young lady greeted him but he didn�t response�he started analyses again: "Here she starting now if I talk to her another man will come here and claim that I am talking to his wife. And they may even beat me up. I haven�t reach my destination"
The poor lady was very disappointed and in fact she was interested in Shabani and wished to chart with him. She was wondering what was going on.
When the hostess warned to put the security belt on: "Mes dames et messieurs attachez vos ceintures." (Lady and gentlemen put on your securities belts)
Shabani started making his pant's belt tight. The lady next to him did again another moves helping him to put on the security belt. This time he thank her and they started talking eventually Shabani apologized for the early incident.
When he saw the hostess passing with plates�He opened his bag and pull out a red plastic bag with the local food, The local food called Fubwa, with cooked and spiced smoked fish. It had a very strong smell and unusual smell for the others passengers. He thought it was eating time. The man who was in front of him went to complain to the plane personals of strange smell. He even gave to the lovely lady some food. The hostess come and took away the food. The lady next to her explained to him that is was not allowed to bring home food as the airplane personals will definitely bring enough food for all.
As when the reached the North African part of the continent in the desert. They airplane did a sudden brusque movement in the air holes. He look at the plane's roof and couldn�t keep his calm as he thought that the plane was going down he cried and screamed in is native languages. Sending panic wave in the plane�Many people started praying in different positions. A Muslim behind him quick lied down on his small carpet praying for what he taught could be his last split second of his life.
He end up even vomiting �The lady next to her lost the cool for a while before holding him. Scandal, as hostess come to the rescue this time even his colleagues who were far away were so unhappy.
One of neighbour asked him: "Man are you O.K, What is happening to?"
One of the plane waitress come too: "Are you crazy?" He complained "You are the only one who keep doing the strange things, if only I knew I couldn�t allow you to travel in our company�s plane"
Another passenger added: "He is the only one to come with rotten food into the airplane, The only one to sit in the corridors now He is sending alert's wave when we are safely traveling"
Another African passenger come from the back to shut at Zoao: "You could have stayed in you country, instead of acting like a man from the planet Mars"
One of his colleagues Kalamu who were sitting at the back come also to shut at him: "Brother! my brother!" He screamed "what are you doing? You are making us really fools. Not only we but also how race and country? How they may respect us with this kinds of behavior?'
Then few minutes later, he started vomiting. The allergic for the first time airplane traveler. The European next door even helped him with hostess to clean the mess while many passenger were fed up with him.
No one wanted to even talk to him no more for the deadly wave of panic he send until their reach their destination.
The young lady gave him her address and contact number and he gave him the school address too.
CHAPTER TWO: THE ARRIVAL
It was winter in Brussels Europe when the four students: Kalamu, Matonge, Limete and Shabani arrived�They didn�t have cold clothes they temperature had dropped to minus 5 degree. Every time they were speaking some wave of cold air were coming out of their mouths like smoking. One of the lady who worked at the airport felt pity she called the red cross agents to come and help the before the arrival of their care taker. They had a big problem coming from a tropical hot country straight in full winter in Europe. One of the student even said that he was even more than ready to return back home. But the others said that it was too early to take such us decision while others challenges are ahead of them.
The red cross personnel went in a military depot and took some clothes used in the second world war two. Those clothes were big as the red didn�t have their size. The clothes were very big only walking. They started walking like if they were pushing their legs.
Bruce the caretaker arrived when the red cross agent finished to dress belt were holding the pants. The gloves were far more bigger to their hands, the jacket were just out of this world and the boot were not only big but also very heavy that changed their way of them.
When they arrived to the new home. Shabani decided to have a shower before he goes to sleep. When entering the shower he finds two tabs. Hot and cold he decide because of the weather to open the hot tab without mixing. He was seriously burnt by hot water the caretaker had to come to his rescue and shown him how to mix cold water and cold water.
The next day at school rumor started circulating of the arrival of new student from Africa.
In those days blacks were very rare in Europe many of young people never had a chance to see or meet blacks. They only see blacks in pictures, movies�They started talking about African in one of they breaks: "I had that we will be receiving new students from Africa they are blacks."
"How do the blacks look like?"
"I heard that they are human as we are the big difference is their skin is black in color. They have red blood like us."
Another man disagreed because when he was young he heard many stories about what could be have been black: "I heard that they are cousin to monkeys their live with animals, wear animal skin and plants leaves"
"They must have tails that they are hiding" the other students suspected.
"I think they are dirty I can imagine if you don�t have a bath for many years your skin will eventually turn black."
This students had a clear clue: "My parents who were in Africa said they were the same as us but they are not so developed us we are."
"I met by accident in a bus a black man who was sitting in the front seat he was lovely" the woman student said.
"I heard that they don�t eat the same food as us."
Many people were wondering and were anxious to meet the new heroes from Africa. Just when they were about to join their classes room the head master announced that their new colleagues have arrived and may come the following days. He beg them to bring some gifts to welcome their news friends. He explains them that they are not different to them.
Bruce was in charge of looking after the newcomer. He was single and his early thirties. He has been working as caretaker for the past seven years. He used to look after 5 Chinese students who has graduate and left the house. The house was big with two living rooms, 5 bedrooms and other facilities. He was living in that house two. He was employed by the Belgians government to look after the foreigner students. It was him who look for colleges for the students and at the same time was their guardian. The student were sharing two rooms, two students per room.
He was assignment to feed and drive the students to schools.
Bruce the caretaker cooked a special meal for the newcomer: soup with babies chickens. He noticed that they didn�t eat with appetite instead they eat a lot bread and decide next time not to come up with the same formula.
Bruce the man who was in charge of looking after the African's students in Europe called them in the dinning rooms. They were sitting on the 8 sit dinning room tables. The dinning room had two big cupboard with plates, cup and glasses into eat. At the wall was the picture of the Belgian king Bauduin and the Congolese independence leader Lumumba.
He called them to give them some instructions: "I welcome you it is a pleasure to interact with you�with time you get used to me and I will know you better."
He wanted to tell you that they Africans students were already one week late. The school has already open. To catch up they will have to join the school tomorrow morning. Bruce had a small bag with him, he opened and gave them each a watch. The watch was a luxury in Africa. They have studied how to read the watch at school but no one had a chance to have one. He told them while the students were struggle to wear the watches: "I am giving all of you watches �Please try your best to wake up early and by 6h00 o�clock get ready�By 7h00 I will drop you to your school".
Around 5h00 of a student Kalamu wakes up he looked outside it was dark he went back to sleep.
Around 5h20 another student Matonge wakes up looked outside it was still dark he says that probably the watch was wrong.
Around 6h00 Shabani wakes up. It was still very dark outside, he says to himself that his not a good idea to wake up others students because outside still dark�
In fact the watches were right it is just they haven�t experience this winter phenomenon were in winter the night is long than days as in the central Africa they don�t really experience winter. The caretaker comes around five to seven find them sleeping: " I don�t understand how can you be late for your first day at school. How can you sleep until 7h00�I gave you watches and insisted that the classes are staring at 8h00�What time are you going to be ready�I am the one who will be blamed"
"No" Said the talkative Shabani, "I thought that my watch was wrong because It was still very dark outside."
The angry Bruce couldn't believe what the new students has just done for their first school day in Europe said: "How all watches may be wrong the same time?"
The student apologized "Excuse us�I am asking for forgiveness"
To avoid a bad reputation the caretaker refuse to send them at school looked an excuse to give.
At school everybody were anxious they looked the time going without seeing the new colleagues. Disaster as the student kept asking the head master when are they new colleagues coming? He kept telling them that they are arriving soon.
Disaster as many were holding gifts, flowers and cakes.
Around 11 hours the head master decided to phone the caretaker. The caretaker apologized on behalf of African students that one of the student was sick and they decided to come the next day together. Everybody at school was so disappointed they thought that may be the head master is playing with their emotions.
This time the caretaker decided to cook big chickens as meal.
He noticed that the Africans students eat with appetite. He even asked them why they eat with appetite eating even the bones?
The talkative Shabani responded immediately: "In Africa we eat chicken bones the other part of the chicken like meat we give to dogs and animals"
The next day the caretaker made sure for no further disaster, he went to wakes them up at around 6h00. He was amazed to see them ready and were waiting for him. He accepts this time yesterday apology. When they arrived at school they find people coming with gift and flowers except cakes as some of the students were not convince of their arrival.
The African students were not much impress with the college building a two floor white building with old style model while most of the big school were build with a new style. It look like the ordinary university in Africa. They were sadness by the cold weather of the continent from the street to their college they had the impression that people were like mourning, all wearing big jackets and gloves with something on their head to protect them from the cold weather.
Immediately Samson the head master took them in his office. The head master office was full of big book and notes every where. Bruce was sitting while the others students were standing watching him. Shabani loved his bears. He had a moustache. Shabani loved moustache but didn't have a lot bear yet to make that kind of moustache. "I don�t know how to explain my feeling to receive you. Samson said "You made a story to be the first students from Africa I have student from every continent: Asia, America as far as Australia�But yesterday I kept telling your colleagues here as the return of Jesus: coming soon and very soon but haven't arrived since then. I understand that you are born again I apologize I know that Jesus will come one day I meant we have been waiting for you for a long time. I will talk to you later. Your colleagues are waiting for you outside. I will call you to give you books and other necessary things for classes"
After Samson the head master has finished to talk no one was able to respond or comment. Bruce refused to talk for his students. Then the talkative Shabani took courage commented briefly: "It is a like dream coming true and we don�t want to wake up. We really wanted to come in this Continent, to experience life here and taking the opportunity to study to be able to bring back the knowledge to build our communities and our lovely Country."
Some of the students couldn�t hide they joy but few were very reserved. They give them seats in the classroom. Shabani new neighbor was a young boy who may be 5 years more younger than Shabani but the most curious and very active. He stared wondering in is head: "Here is the opportunity to know a black man�Yesterday many were wondering that black are duty�they are whites covered with dust�some said they are human as we are�but someone said they are monkeys cousin they may have tails that there are hiding�If I asked him he may get upset"
Many confusing theories were flowing in the young man mind�As it was warm in the classroom with the heater Shabani and compatriots didn�t wore the jacket and gloves to allow them to be more comfortable in writing. When the talkative Shabani was busy listen to the teacher�s speech The young man gently rubbed Shabani's hand he didn�t notice any dust�he couldn�t believe as he tried for the second time but no dust at all�he kept thinking how to satisfy his curious: "But there is no dust at all�but they look 100% humans but why an human can be so dark�? If they were dirty they could be stinking but I don�t smell any strange smell? What is this phenomenon�?"
As many ideas were coming he had one of the African student asking for toilet direction. It was not Shabani this time but his compatriot. They young man followed the African student to the toilet. Carefully he looked at the toilet key�s hole but he could see properly but didn�t see the tail.
With time passing so fast they become very popular in the new community and schools they interacted so fast finding new friends. They met a big challenge, to get extract money to meet their need. You know in Africa families are big, many are from polygamy family with brothers, sisters, friends, neighbors, half sisters, half brothers, uncles, Aunts, fianc�es, cousins and parents� to look after. Every body back home where expected something from them as clothes and many things where still luxury. They find themselves pressurized to find a way of making extract money in the weekend and holidays.
The caretaker who was impressed by those African students due they African respect and discipline become their best friends. Everything that he was telling them their were doing. They never complained of anything they learned to live with what they had. They were always early to school, they always listen to school's instructions and rules. They took school work very seriously. The caretaker advised them to find a job that may suit the studies schedules.
CHAPTER THREE : JOBS
Back home in Kitwe Shabani fianc�e Payo had more trouble than ever with her mother. Remember that Shabani didn�t took the fianc�e that her mother gave him, she was daughter to her mother�s best friend. This really was a big insult to her and African custom. Even Shabani was still back home they had many fights. It is Shabani who used to come down the two parties. Everything that Shabani fianc�e was doing was bad. Shabani�s mother never eat food cooked by Shabani�s fianc�e. Now that Shabani was away the trouble become worst. She couldn�t go back to her home, doing that was against the African custom. She supposed to live with her future�s husband family until the wedding and join her husband. It is also a way of looking after her to avoid misconduct and temptation of cheating.
No one couldn�t take her side even Shabani's sisters took their mother side. Who really could rescue the poor girl? Shabani father had a very busy schedule: going to the farm, church activities, teaching some elders to write and read also teaching French, Apart those activities they were many traditional festivities, funerals, burials and marriages to attend. He is the only one who could come down the fire as the chief supreme of the family. Shabani's brothers were here and there busy: going to schools and playing soccer that was becoming very popular. In they freed time they also help the father in the farm. They were not much aware of the dispute but they knew that their mother didn�t like their sister in law.
In those days the were no need for woman to go to school as they were only waiting for marriage, life for woman was to go sometime to farm, domestic work but the big achievement was to get married. Some could even go to marriage at 13 years old. A man also had to get married quickly, Shabani who was 19 years was in a big pressure to get married, they gave him many women before by her mother and members of the family that he rejected. I thing that he took her current fiancee because of the family's pressure. Shabani's father was some kind of semi civilized didn�t pressure at all his son. I believe the reason behind Shabani getting a fianc�e it is because they started calling him: dead. Dead mean impotent in the community. Impotent is the biggest insult that exist in the continent. For African a man is the one who have kids, the more kids you have they more rich you are considerate. Many men ended up to having many wives and children.
They also said that if you die very young you die forever because you don�t have a progenitor.
Back to Europe. The caretaker find a job for one student, he was so disappointed because he wanted all four to work the same time at the same place because they become as a family. Going together in the same school, living together in the same house, eating together the same food. A brusque sudden separation could be hard to cop with but still it was not a full time separation still they lived together, study together. It is only in the weekend that one may have to go and be away for 8 hours for two days.
The caretaker took the opportunity to tell them the new in their supper time:
- Dear friends I have a good news and bad news the same time.
He noticed that they were not exited at all and ask: "Why I am telling you good news and bad news you are not exited?"
The students were worry about the sad new when Bruce talked about good and bad news, they didn�t care about good news but they were worried about bad news, they all have left big families at home. Bad news may the lost of one of the family's member?
Kalamu asked Bruce: "Who has died?"
Bruce apologized after Kalamu remark: "I am sorry about talking about bad news let put this way it is not definitely death. I say I am sorry for touching an emotional subject without knowing."
He explained that he meant bad that he may call temporary bad news. He wished to have a job for every body but I just a job for one. He didn�t know whom to give the job all depend on their own students choice. He told the students to discuss and see if they have to take it or leave it. If they want to take it, they must agree together who will take it.
Bruce advice was to take it. It is difficult to have a job those days, especially a part time job. One of student may take it, once they find a job for 4 people the one who will take this job may leave it and join the others. He insisted: "It is much easier to find a full time job than part time job that suit your school time table."
Kalamu suggested: "No, let this chance pass by."
Matonge the elder student immediately contradicted his colleagues: "You must be really and totally mad, the caretaker who have spend time to look for us a job is stupid? It is the way we African must thank him?"
Matonge told Kalamu that Bruce the caretaker who lives in this city for a long time and many years told them that it is very difficult to have job, especially part time job. Matonge and others students have left big families at home�more than 100 people as you know in the African culture cousins and sons of friends of uncles, neighbors�all are member part of the family. If they let this chance passing by and when they will get a job for 3 people they must let pass by too. He insisted: "You must apologize to the caretaker"
Kalamu who was against admitted his mistake and apologized to the caretaker.
Bruce was deeply touched by the extreme humility of the Africans students. They were not shy to apologize or thank him for his good doing. Something he hasn't experience a lot in Europe where many people don't like to admit that they are wrong. Everybody wanted to be right in Europe.
Another student Limete said: "Caretaker" he nodded "I apologize on behalf of my brother, thank you for the sacrifice you made for us. You made a lot of sacrifice for us, I understood my colleague for seeing let leave this opportunity."
It was because of his love for all of them that Kalamu refused to see one of them work while others are still jobless. They become stick together as glue and he is difficult to let go one of them go. They were a now big family include Bruce. Bruce is the fifth members, one like one part of the body if one of us is sick or not here we feel something is missing. Limete insisted that they will take this offer.
The caretaker said: "I am not angry" he xplained "I understand more than you the situation, it is why I said good and bad news. I didn�t know that you will be upset about bad news. Let really talk about serious stuff."
It amazing to see the most Shabani the talkative man in their group not talking today, Bruce emphasize that may be he will talk later. The students told him early how they all have big families back home. He advised the students: "You all have more than hundred people to look after, but I may tell you to start looking at the closest members in your families and your closest friends to be your priority it is impossible to help an all village even the king here is not able to do that." He was astonished to see how the students care about all the people they knew and met in life. "You have to set priority in life" It was impossible truly speaking to look after almost the entire village as students only: relatives, neighbours, teachers, ex drop out school colleagues and many more. He advised them. " Even the richest man on earth has they priorities. They don't assist everybody"
If the king was unable to help everybody what about the Africans? They were only simple student. Now the matter was who will take that job? He suggested that the old one and the one who is married and have fianc�e. Bruce thought that the one who have fianc�e and kids will be the priority because he need more money than all of student.
Limete immediately suggested: "Let give to Shabani."
Kalamu responded and disagreed: "Why Shabani, every thing Shabani. Shabani he is not the older one in the group?"
Limete tried to justify his answer:
He said Shabani, because he is from a poor family. The elder in their group Matonge group need also money but he is married with one kid but he is the son of a big dignitary in his of the village and in their country. Matonge said that he knows that his family need clothes too but Shabani's family need more. His father still a poor farmer who teach the elder to read and write too at the church as a volunteer. Limete himself self, his mother and his father are all teachers at least they have an income.
Kalamu the student who disagree have a white blood in your vein even thought he looks black. He reminded Kalamu not to forget that his grand father is from Portugal and he have many uncles who are business men.
Matonge the elder in the student group said: "I am so touch: Yes let give to Shabani he need more money than we."
Amount all the student, one was still not convinced that Shabani qualified to have a job: "I am against of giving the job to Shabani."
Kalamu said all the students need money, he insisted that Shabani fiancee is only pregnant but he was 23 years old had two kids with different women even though he wasn't married, he said that he need money than Shabani. He said not to mention about businessmen uncles because they don�t look after him.
His grand father have left them since many years, they don�t even know where he is. The only thing that remind them of him is the only curly hair they have in their family.
Matonge the elder who was 24 years old and was the caretaker choice to have a job refused to take the offer wanted Shabani to have the job and Limete 21 years old supported Shabani for the job. Only the coloured Kalamu 23 years old was decided to have the job.
Bruce laughed when Kalamu finished to talk and told him: "If your uncles didn�t look after you why to look after them" He explained "It is a good reason to subtract them in your caring list that mean you are automatically disqualified for this job. Out of you hundred people in your family eighty are already subtracted: your strange uncles and their children."
Bruce who was learning the African's culture said that they other 3 students have uncles who contributed in their studies and life and it is also a condition for them to help them and help their children.
Limete backed the caretaker: "But what the matter with you? we two admit that Shabani is the man that need more money than us. Please be understandable is family is poor and her fianc�e is pregnant."
Kalamu was unhappy responded: "Shabani must not be the king here because of pregnancy of is fiancee. Any way who told him to make the woman pregnant while not married"
Matonge the elder responded gain, while Shabani was quiet watching them: "I see that you still not satisfy now I am talking as a big brother to all of you. We are African and respect is our culture."
Matonge was called also Matonga. His real name was Matonge but on his identity book they did a mistake in writing his name as Matonga. So he used both names.
Matonge decided to give the job to Shabani like it or not. He made understand his colleagues understand how can you ask why Shabani slept with the lady without being married?
First in their with Shabani case, Shabani's mother doesn�t like Shabani�s wife the only way to change her mind is to make the woman pregnant may be her mother may change her mind.
Secondly it was for their cultural reasons, in some of family they want to test first the woman's fertility if she may bear children before accepting her into the family.
Ironically the man who started this Shabani's problem forgot himself that he has 2 children may be more in the village without even taking their mothers as fianc�es.
Matonge reminded him: "You take advantage with your little light complexion and curly hairs to makes women pregnant in the community. Remember you may ended up like your grand father leaving children all over the World."
The final decision was taken Shabani Zoao got the first job.
The following weekend the caretaker took the Shabani Zoao to the job. Daniel, the manager thought that the student was white as blacks were very rare in Europe that time. He called a side the caretaker while Shabani was still admiring the big supermarket. He saw many trucks parked with goods. He saw many employee coming in and out of the shop. It was his first time to see a super market. The only place he saw many employees in his country was the factories: "I thought the student was like all the students, European�you know business is business work is work. I have to keep a good record."
Daniel, the manager fear that many customer never met a black in this generation how they may react. To avoid many troubles for his sake, keep customers satisfied and sell flowing in the super market, he said: "I think my friend go and bring us the usual students."
Bruce the caretaker even forgot that he was living with people of different race. He didn't see any difference with the African. It why he never even mention about race in the first place. "Listen try to understand me, I took the student who need the most money than others."
Bruce tried to relate a small story on Shabani biography. He said that he having 2 months Europe, he is from a very poor country leaving behind his poor family that need his support, his future wife his pregnant. Bruce begged to hire him and see if the sells goes down to not hesitate to fire him or contact Bruce if you cannot tell Shabani face to face. Bruce insisted: "I promised you he is a hard worker. I have 4 students all from Africa and only one of them his coloured, Kalamu."
Daniel knew that African are hard worker, he had the story how the African from America Island build the railway train in England and also worker in the physical construction site in Europe. "Yes I know that naturally Africans are hard workers from the reports I heard from Africa. Let try something different"
"Thank you for the understanding" Bruce said.
Just before the caretaker leave the supermarket, the manager also who never meet a black man before asked the caretaker. Before he asked this question he touched his hairs, touched his noise hesitated but decided to ask him: "Tell me I am curious. Do black people wash? What do they eat?"
"They are like us" Bruce explained "The wash and eat the same food we eat but they have their traditional food in Africa if they eat it we can it. Consider them like Chinese and Indian with a different culture to European."
Bruce boosted Shabani CV before leaving, he told the manager that he was impressed with they disciplines and they respect they give to every body. They are following his instructions. He repeated that he has other tree African in his hostel. They wake up early as 5h 00 instead of 6h00, they are very clean with all their belonging. They help him with everything and the garden too.
"Where and how you met them?" Daniel asked.
Bruce told the manager that they were send you by their new government to study and get experience to build their country now that they are independent, they are the next ministers and authorities of their countries.
The manager had many question in his mind and for him Bruce has the answer: "Tell me, are there clever?"
"I am telling you that there hard workers, they are also hard worker at school"
Bruce added on his comments that since he got the African in his house, the property is very clean. At their spare time they clean the house and especially my garden. His house look lovely now. They work without waiting for his instructions.
Daniel had a chance to get all the information possible now that he met someone to tell him all about Africans: "You are tell me what I need to hear, I am now sure to have a good worker I will try to explain to other workers of the surprise that is coming tomorrow."
Daniel, the manager decided to tell Bruce to bring the next day Sunday at 8 o'clock, may be to show him direction so Shabani may catch the train and he has to start immediately at 8 o�clock to work. He told the caretaker that he won�t show him the assignment yet, he has to think which department will suit him. He insisted: "I will keep a big surprise for tomorrow, you don�t have to drop him again tomorrow?"
"I know that he is a very clever man," He said with all confidence "I will direct him and I will take the morning train so I may attend the early morning service church service."
When Bruce thought that it was over so he can leave, he heard again the manager asking him another question: "Tell me do they pray also?"
"Of course." Bruce explained "They told me that many prays they ancestors in Africa and many have converted to Christianity even to Muslim religion"
They have been colonized by Belgium, most of them are Christian and very dedicated believer but many still also believer in their traditional religion too. "Thank you for this surprise" Daniel said "I will revenge the my employees this surprise tomorrow."
Before the caretaker leave the manager he indirectly ask for vacancy for his 3 remaining students, he wanted them to work at the same place as their live in the same house: "I forget something that I had in my mind, please let me know in case of vacancies so I may bring others 3 men in future, trust me they are hard and very hard worker."
"I am sorry to let you know that we are full at the moment, no vacancies presently but I heard from our head office that they may open 2 branches, I hope that they may open in our city."
It will be always a problem if those branches are opened in other cities, it will be difficult for your students to travel far from their respective school. He hoped they may open branches around but he heard and had have the feeling that the new branches may be opened far from their cities. Most of the vacancies are full time jobs, they always have very few part time jobs. He was afraid also that he doesn�t even know when they may open those branches. Anyway there is no guaranty to hire the other now even if some vacancies may in the near future, It will still considering employing them if he is impressed by the one student from Africa he was hiring now. He said again: "Thank you for bringing me a new student."
"I am the one to thank you for putting you in a difficult situation where you may be in trouble with other workers and your bosses, you took a life time risk but I am sure that you will be impressed not disappointed."
Bruce joined the waiting Shabani outside and left the super market.
The manager told Shabani to come the next day Sunday early at around 7h30 in the morning. On their way back the caretaker showed They direction to take in the coming day.
As usually Zoao wake up early in the morning, left is friends sleeping as it was Sunday. They caretaker gave him some transport money. He walked to the train's station, they were very few people on the street. He went to by train ticket. He made sure not doing again a tragedy in catching the wrong train and may be lost in process. Bruce wrote on a peace of paper the direction. At the train station he met a woman who was selling ticket. He greeted her: "Bonjour(In English hello) can I have a single return ticket to"
She responded:
"Ah, bonjour"
She looked the man who greeted her, it was a black man that she always dreamed of meeting and become very friendly to him, She shown her the direction: the train station to get off�He almost missed his train as they charted for a long time with the ticket seller. In the train very few people were over looked him but didn�t talk to him. Shabani and colleagues got used to people reactions, it become an habit. All the people seem to avoid him accept one small kid who was 5 years or more. When the kid saw him sitting alone on the bench he approached him in greeting: "Hello are you?"
"Hello"
"What is your name?"
"My name is Shabani."
The mother of the kid tried to stop him from going to Shabani but she was shy of others passenger's reaction. She kept saying with a small voice in French: "Viens ici ,viens ici" in English: come here, come here
The kid kept saying: "No, no Mommy."
He sat next to Shabani and charted: "My name is George and you?"
"My name is Shabani."
"Can you buy me some sweets and chocolates, and big big gun." the kids asked.
"I will buy you" Shabani promised "I will by a big chocolate and big gun�What is the name of your mother."
"My mommy's name�s Georgette and my father name is Pierre." the kid explained and The young boy asked him too: "What is you mommy�s name and your fathers name?"
"My mother's name is Tumba and my father�s name is Samba." He explained "There are very old now, very big"
"You mean very tall than you, very tall than my father, my father is very big" The kid explained.
Unfortunately the young man and her mother were getting off at the train stop before Shabani�s stop. But the young man refused to follow her mother. Her mother came and took by force: "Viens ici, viens ici" She added: "I say come here you don�t want to understand" then she turned to Shabani "good bye Shabani."
"Good bye." At least he has met someone taking to me while other passengers had a different reaction. many shown sign of curiosity and other shown sign of fear...
He couldn�t understand why kid loved him, He even recalled that they were approached one days in the park with his 3 colleagues by children who really enjoyed their companionship.
When he arrived at the work. He find the manager who welcomed him, the others workers come shortly. The others workers didn�t know who he was as kept wondering: "Who is this man?"
"What is doing here?"
"May be he is a visitor."
"I never see a black man before?"
"I had a chance of interacting with them, when I went to visit my uncle in Cameroon for two months." he was the on
