Paying it Forward

Our meeting made a lasting imprint on my life and that of my son, Björn, born in 2008. Whenever possible, we began to send money to Carl. And, from the very beginning, Carl has been supporting us, through his friendship, by being there and by remembering the people and happenings that matter to us. By caring. Slowly, over the years, a friendship blossomed, in which we have each coloured in a parallel universe where the life of the other unfolds. Since the birth of his daughter, little Elke Ingrid in 2013, we have been financially supporting the family on a monthly basis. Little Elke's mother has sadly found it too challenging to be there for her daughter, as a result of which Carl has been assuming - in his own words - the role of father and mother. Over the years, many friends have chipped in to help out, whether when illness struck or with regular support for Elke’s school fees.

Early in 2018, ahead of Björn’s 10th birthday, I shared that I wanted to take him somewhere, to a place he has dreamt of visiting and asked him where he would like to go. He was quiet for a bit, and then responded he wanted to meet Carl and little Elke. I wondered out loud whether he would like to go visit them, or if we should invite them here, to our home in Geneva. Again, he took a moment to consider this and then answered "here, so that we can spoil them in each and every possible way, from enough food to taking a bath, and we could do things they have never done before." From the moment he heard about this, Carl was chomping at the bit.

And so the work began, from first getting little Elke’s birth certificate, then passports for the two of them, and finally, submitting an application for their Schengen visas. It took five months, many hurdles and an enormous amount of perseverance and courage on the part of Carl, for whom moving around is a daunting task. Finally, at the end of June, the Schengen visa was issued, and Carl & El’s flights were booked for a visit in August of that same year. We could not quite believe it, but it was going to happen!

Björn and I made a list of all the things we wanted to do and share with them; the good meals we were planning on cooking and the dinners we were going to take them out for. We also, however; wanted them to return to a less precarious existence in Uganda after their time with us. To live somewhere other than in the slums, to eat three decent meals a day, and to be able to work. Carl knows how to make this happen, but does not have the means. This involved buying a plot of land or at least a house, with access to water, electricity and the internet. This dream was made reality thanks to generous donations by friends, family and strangers, who together contributed enough for Carl and El to buy a little home.

Their time in Geneva in August of 2018 was an incredible experience for all of us. When Carl learned 80 people from around the world contributed financially to make their dream of a little home come true, he was lost for words, and needed for me to say it over, and over again before it finally sank in. Thanks to the kindness of medical professionals in Geneva, Carl’s vision was assessed by an ophthalmologist, an optician, and a Diabetes expert. Carl and El left Geneva with many new friends, and over 60 kgs of clothes.