Staggering Generosity: Stories of Kindness

I have recently been the recipient of the kind of generosity from strangers that I didn't know existed anymore. I can't say that as an American, in America, I would trust these sorts of things, but it has happened in Africa, and has helped open my heart even further to it's people and those I serve. Thank you to the individuals mentioned below, as you've lifted my spirit, regenerated my energy, and filled my soul with light, and just generally been so good to me. People like you make the world a better place!


It began with a man in my home state, MN. He stumbled upon my blog. He was fact checking some info that his friend who lives in Gaborone (the capital city of Bots) had told him. He emailed me (as so many tend to do, and keep it up, good or bad, I love to get people's reactions, or really just to see if anyone out there is reading. It's been a long time since hearing from strangers has been weird and is now one of the more interesting components of writing this blog) and we would write back and forth every so often.

The needle stick happened. Many people responded with kind words and messages of hope (and again thank you, I am so lucky. I do not take this blessing for granted).

Shortly after that post, I got a call from Nala, a doctor who stays in Francistown. She offered me many kind words and a place to stay should I ever make my way to Francistown. I thanked her for her kindness and stored her number in my phone.

On my way down to Gabs for follow-up testing after the needle prick I get a somewhat strange message that there is a package waiting for me in Maun. K, the man in Minneapolis has told his friend Carle about me, and Carle has sent me what is nearly a crate filled with nice food and supplies that are hard to impossible to find in the bush. I am in tears. Carle offered me a place to stay should I ever need it in Gabs.

Again, as an American, these tend to be the sort of interactions that we have become naturally wary and suspicious of. I decided to believe in the true goodness of people and take both these folks up on their offers. And I'm so glad I did.


Carle and his family showed me such kindness, opening their home to a complete stranger. They fed me, let me use their washing machine (this in itself was a miracle that nearly brought me to tears), their Internet and showed me better hospitality than a 5 star hotel. Carle took me to yoga and his wife K took me all over the city looking for reading glasses for Simon. I got to hang out with their darling little children and have the sort of experience that reminds me so strongly of a typical "home", or at least to what I've come to think of as home. We watched movies and funny American reality TV, and talked about books and music we'd enjoyed and places in the world one really must go. We spoke of psychology, philosophy, the politics of both the US and the southern part of Africa. I helped K and the children decorate their Christmas tree. Carle helped me find a new camera to buy as the one I had had crapped out on me, and arranged for a ride to Francistown so I wouldn't be stuck on the bus. I was staggered by their willingness to open their home to a complete stranger, and to be so incredibly kind.

In Francistown, when it became clear that I would be stopping there for the night, I hesitated. Nala had said to call, but it was very short notice and I would be getting in quite late. I took a deep breath and I called. She answered, delighted to hear from me and immediately offered up her home for the night. I arrived in Francistown near 11PM. She came to pick me up in the dark of the night in the middle of the city, no hesitation. She brought me to her home, mentioning landmarks along the way so that I could come back again next time. She had a meal warming in the oven for me and chocolate cake and tea after that. She had a magic phone that allowed me to call the states from an internal number (no long distance) and I was able to speak with family and friends for free. She let me use her Internet as well, and we had lovely conversations over the wonderful breakfast she cooked for me before taking me to some art shops and another pharmacy to look for Simon's glasses before dropping me at the bus rank. She is wonderful and giving, and the woman just amazes me as she herself is going through grieving a very recent death. I meant what I said to her when I told her that short of my own mother, if I ever needed someone to take care of me, let it be an African woman. They mother better than anyone on Earth, I would wager... For her to go out of her way for a stranger.. I smile when I think of her grace and healing presence.


I smile when I think of these new friends, who have opened up their homes to a stranger, and shown such generosity. I send up good feelings and hopes for happiness for the kindness of strangers, and how they have quite simply changed my life and altered my perspective, and made it possible for me to go back to my village ready to keep doing the work I do. I am so blessed to be so intimately exposed to the genuine good in the world, which I had no idea how thoroughly I would see when I signed up for a job that would naturally expose me to such hardship and sadness. Thank you again. You are amazing.

I tell this story to attempt to begin to thank those involved for their generosity, (although I have kept them somewhat anonymous at their own request). I tell it also in light of the season upon us, with the hope that it inspires those who are sharing this journey with me to ask themselves (as I now ask myself, every day) what kindness can you show to a stranger?

It makes a big difference.
Peace, Love, Gratitude, Hope, Kindness
Jen