Good to hear from you! Asante sana for your comment and for the helpful information about the extension of the Mt. Kenya campus. Considering the many accomplishments of the South Imenti Tea SACCO, I think its contribution to education in Meru and the Eastern Province is by far the greatest. I wish you much success with your teaching this semester, and please know that I’m still working hard to produce something that honors the full and wonderful life of the General, and–something that all of you will be proud of. Please tell the General that his Jojo Nkirote (that’s me) says hello. . .

Cheers – Laura Lee/Nkirote :)

Que saudades de voce e Roberto e sua Mae e Pai! Tenho que visitar Macae logo pra matar as saudades. Vou te mandar um email…quero saber tudo de que esta acontecendo em sua vida.

Muita brigada pra sua reposta. ‘To bem afora de forma com meu Portugues–falta de Magali e Cebolinho. :)

Boas festas!!

Beijos mil e nos falamos logo – Sua Loirinha Lee :)

I understand your frustration that there is not much understanding of the social organization of Africans. In fact, many Americans think that the word “tribe” is an antiquated or disparaging term, rather than a primary social identifier. Most Americans (including myself) have not studied much (if any) about it in their primary or secondary educations, and that is unfortunate.

Although I am focused on writing about Mr. Japhlet Thambu’s (“The General’s”) life, the history and customs of the Wameru will play a big part of that. I do, however, consider him a Kenyan man, not just a Bameru. When he fought in the Mau Mau, he took up arms with the Kikuyu and Embu people. He worked with people like Mboya and other Luos to usher in Kenyan Independence. I hope that by learning from and about him, people will gain a greater sense of his tribe, his country, and his continent.

I would like to write a blog about the topic of African tribes, and I would like to receive your guidance on how to best approach it—specifically beginning with the tribal origins of the Bantu, Nilotic, and Cushitic peoples. I think that would be a good place to start. If you agree, let’s email one another and write a collaborative blog about African tribes. Please expect an email from me within the next week to begin the conversation. I look forward to it.

All the best – Laura Lee/Nkirote (What is the Kimeru word for sharing a name—is it wachia? I’m sure since we’ve both been blessed with the same Kimeru name, our collaborative blog will be fantastic.)

Que delícia essa estória!! Muito incrível mesmo mas vinda de voce não me surpreende tanto. Porque será?

Queria mesmo saber o que estava fazendo e agora que sei um pouco mais, vou continuar vibrando com suas aventuras e projetos.

Beijos e um ótimo 2010.

Roberto e eu temos sempre muitas saudades de você.