La Sonya

It’s over. All the last remains of Africa are gone. My toenail was the last small part that showed what was my life last year. The henna I had on my feet is now gone, 11 months later the toenail has grown and is completely new. What now do I have to ‘show’ for my year spent with the Nanjere and the Toupouri? Only my memories and pictures remain now. Anyone want to hear a story? It’s about three women who became wives of one man and traveled all over Africa. . .

First Ama put on the henna and I had to sit still with them proped up for a LONG time. Two days. It then comes out looking like cheeto's were squashed on the feet. Look at my feet and you will see the dark color. My heena'd feet in the Swis Alps.

Convocation presentation should inspire us to help genocide survivors Letter to the Editor I was greatly moved and empowered by Nesse Godin’s speech to Southern Adventist University on Nov. 2, 2006. She spoke of her life during World War II in the Ghetto, in the concentration camp and surviving the death march. The stories she told were powerful and heart-wrenching, like how she suffered starvation and beatings that left scars on her back and across her neck. During her presentation I was moved many times by what she said. She said something I have taken to heart. She said that the Holocaust survivors have carried the bundle of memories and stories, and they won’t be able to carry it much longer. It was this statement that has been ringing in my ears since that Thursday. After her presentation, I waited in line with others to tell her, “Thank you for coming,” but when it came to me I couldn’t say just that. I looked her in the eye and said, “Thank you. I want to help carry that bundle.