Dumela!

When I was training for the Montana AIDS Vaccine Ride (MAVR) in 2001, I met Nanky Seoke – a native Botswanan girl, who was going to school at Central Michigan University.

We never actually met face-to-face until we arrived in Montana, but we shared a lot of correspondence (on a ride like the 7-day 575-mile MAVR, you need as much support as possible!).

Through Nanky, I learned about the serious plight of AIDS in her home country. Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, and entire families were dying. AIDS was (is) a plague in Botswana – one like we’ve never seen in America - and Nanky devoted 2001 to the ride that could help save her fellow countrymen.

During our correspondence, Nanky taught me some African phrases, but the only one I still remember is “dumela” (pronounced “doo-MAY-lah”), which means “Hello”.

Once we got to Montana, we had a “Michigan rider meet and greet” at a local bar, and Nanky and I spent a lot of the evening talking. I was interested in her thick accent and stories or Botswana. I loved it when she told me that it took nearly a month to get acclimated to American food – particularly hamburgers. She said our food tasted terrible! I’d never really thought about it like that before.

Montana was the only time I’d seen Nanky. Ever since, we’ve shared e-mails and an occasional card or note. Nanky had a hard time acclimating to the Michigan weather, and continued her studies at Howard University and Florida State University.

Recently I heard from Nanky again. She was nearly finished with her book on health and recreation. Her goal in life is to open a recreational center in her home village of Mochudi.

She also told me that she was done with her studies and was flying back home to Botswana. She’s leaving this weekend.

Nanky is a driven girl, and I expect one day to receive a flyer for the grand opening of Nanky’s recreation center. And you can bet your ass that if I ever get the chance, I will go there to show my support for this shining star.