FriendsofDaniel

GIVING story

Nancy Vorkink Machin, RPCV, M.A.
Founder/Director
FRIENDS OF DANIEL
1100 Fillmore St
Denver, CO 80247

www.friendsofdaniel.org/talking drum with daniel blog

Our shared humanity makes our global village richer and more intimate where we all make a difference.

Take one African family, Liberians by nationality, headed by one of my former students, Daniel Fallah Poawalio. Thirty years ago I taught Daniel and 200-300 high schoolers in the northern rainforest of Liberia, in Lofa County. I represented by country in two years of service in the Peace Corps. Daniel then, an exceptional student and home helper, and I later developed a very special friendship which has transcended all borders: he became our African son, and I, their American Mom. cf www.friendofdaniel.org

Throughout Liberia's 14-year civil war, Daniel and I tried to reach to each other: times were dangerous and desperate. I lost touch with him and thought he might have died in the horrific war in Liberia. He kept me smiling and the thought of losing that smile I couldn't bear. I learned after years, one day, when he used a borrowed cellphone to call me in Colorado that he was alive and had married. I wept for joy for my former student, Daniel. I asked my friends for money to wire to Liberia to celebrate his marriage to Jemima, also a hardworking person of a different dialect than Daniel who was Kissi. One girl child was born later in their life and her name was Patience-Siahwanda and happened to be born on my very birthday. I needed to do more for this growing family. Daniel again called one day and expressed the urgency of his country at war and how he, as a professional, had to leave -- that night! Quickly, I jumped into action and raised $400US to help the family escape Liberia overland to Ghana and to a refugee camp. Daniel resisted at first but the war had overcome them. They traveled through another country in conflict to Buduburam Refugee Camp outside Accra to find the situation worse than Liberia: here 40,000 Liberians in exile lived in such squalor, without work or opportunity, Daniel wondered why I suggested Ghana as a safe country.

Yes, Ghana was safe from war but not from hunger, housing, and local hatred toward Liberians, then the pariahs of West Africa. I took the new mission to a small Presbyterian church in Denver and the Friends of Daniel was formed. Many projects were created in the next four years to assist, encourage, and support the Poawalio family. Boxes of books, household supplies, medical were sent in a loving way. Hours were spent trying to bring the family out of the refugee camp to Colorado to no avail. One year ago, Daniel, decided to repatriate to Liberia and look for work and buy a taxi with our help. In the camp, the second girl child was born and she was named after me, NANCY KUMBA. I have never seen KUMBA, my namesake. How I long to hold her and Siah.

The war was over, and President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf was elected, and became the first woman African president. Daniel was going home with his family. It was a bittersweet moment in May 2006. His mother, Ma Nessie, had died in the camp. Life must go on for this resilient family: once, back in Monrovia, both parents found their old jobs waiting for them!

What a blessing! Daniel became a civil service coordinator outreach and now travels in a Jeep throughout his country. Jemima works as a secretary for an international bank in Monrovia. The FriendsofDaniel paid one year's rent for their flat, helped with school fees for the three girls (education was a top priority for Daniel), and helped Daniel find a driver for his taxi business. Coming home for this family has been an adjustment. However, they are doing fine, Daniel writes me, his American Mom. I email his Friends online. www.friendsofdaniel.org talking drum with daniel

One African family's resiliency and faith are remarkable to all their American friends.We continue to raise money by selling KENTE cloth from Ghana to help the educate the three daughters. One thing -- to sit down together around palm butter soup has been a dream deferred for thirty years. A reunion between former student and former Peace Corps teacher could happen. Can you help? This is our story, in our corner of the world.

Thank you. Wage peace.
nancy vorkink machin
September 25, 2007