Letter to the Kenyan Ambassador in Bratislava

by Richard Ansah Sarpong (Slovakia)

I didn't expect to find Slovakia

Your Excellency, It is with an appreciative heart that I write this note to the world; sharing with pride, the humility, zeal and excellence with which you and your honourable deputies operate at the consulate in Bratislava. Prior to my adventure to your neighbourhood, I had met some beautiful souls around the world and quite a few from your country. Some of whom I spent time with in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ashgabat, Baku, and Paris just to name a few. Nonetheless, mambo, sasa, poa, asante sana, karibu are about the only words I know in Swahili. Your Excellency, Indulge me to say, until my arrival here, I had only met, at a go, three Kenyans; never had I encountered as many Kenyans, in the diaspora, as I did in your house. Perhaps, the only Kenyan consulate I have visited. I tried a headcount but lost track; confused of who just got in, from who came earlier, left and came back. Three months on, and I have witnessed, on many occasions, as your people called in to invite themselves to the consulate. Hosting the New Years’ eve party and the numbers that trooped in, including uninvited guests, was a mark of a man with a priceless heart. Under your roof were as many Kenyans as there were other citizens; what a way to crown a decade. I was not allowed in the dance zone, perhaps due to my inability to move rhythmically. That notwithstanding, took my chances anytime the floor was opened and witnessed several dance moves; those with a glass of wine yet, like a precious stone, held tight with no single drop. Many on the floor were into the music but so were they into their beer, wine, vodka or whiskey. While the Africans moved to the African playlist, others, all protocols observed, had to double their efforts to catch up on the dance floor. It was a sight to behold. Your Excellency, Permit me to touch on a few but interesting activities I had the pleasure to witness and enjoyed while you hosted me. I have lived with two Kenyans in a space of 3 years, yet I did not see as much as I did under your roof in a month; perhaps, the trick lies in numbers and same blood (country). That is to say, the dynamism and excitement at which I saw your deputies manifest were unlike I had seen amongst my Kenyan friends. The zeal at which they kept themselves happy, the excitement they expressed while hosting others, the comfort at which they joggled school, work and fun, and the magnificence displayed while cooking at odd hours just to make sure no one slept hungry were mouth-watering, breath-taking to say the least. As if that was not exciting enough, the three beautiful ladies shared six names amongst them. Why six names? Don’t be alarmed, it is just a matter of whom you know or who wants to meet you. As complicated as it might seem, to them, it is as simple as it sounds, a common phenomenon at the consulate; oh yes, a unique environment it is. Your Excellency, the joy you and your deputies find in helping others, your selfless acts toward those that require it, is nothing but humane. The Kenyans in Bratislava are blessed to have you guys, the Africans should be proud of you, and Bratislava is fortunate to have you as residence of the city. The world could be a much better place, if we had your clones walking other cities. Astonished as I am, it is the likes of you that keeps my hope in humanity alive. It is only fair that once in a while, when our disappointments and misrepresentations make us think evil of this world, we meet people like you to remind us that there is still good in humanity. We only need to find it and use it but wisely. It has been a great pleasure to have you welcome me to Bratislava. To you Mr. Ambassador and your comrade excellencies, I say Ďakujem! Asante Sana! Thank you