Expatriates

As the population of our country is only around 160,000, its diaspora is proportionately small. The bulk of it resides in the ex-colonial power. There are also small communities in neighbouring African countries and a few scattered here and there elsewhere.

London has a small community and there are a few scattered elsewhere around the country.

The town in which we live in the UK has a population of 205,000 and a small African community – enough to establish a small NGO that runs a community centre with a food shop next door. My brother had been trying to get in touch with them but with little success. So when I took Jaime over in November, I dragged Nanda and Kezia off to see what they did.

We were met at the reception by a Gabonese man who explained a little of their activities. He then said oh and the woman working in the shop next door speaks the same language as Nanda, I think she's from ..., I'll call her over. Turns out that she's right from our own country! An amazing coincidence!

So the next 2 hours are spent talking and talking and talking ...

A real morale booster for Nanda - I hope she has stayed in touch.