Yay!!! I made it to
Africa and made it back safely and returned with experiences, connections,
knowledge and much to share. I want to
thank each of you that contributed to the success of my very first journey to
Africa. This is an experience that I will
hold in my heart forever. Words cannot
express my appreciation for the continuous love, support, & prayers. My journey began weeks before my departure
and intensified with each step that I made toward my mission. Even when I wondered if things were possible,
I continued to move forward with much prayer and I felt the support of the Most
High, our noble ancestors, my family and community.
There were no chance meetings. All seemed to be by design. Even before I departed from Charlotte, I sat
next to a son escorting his father to visit family before he returned to Lagos
the next day. As we spoke, I realized
that he truly wanted me to fully enjoy my experience in his homeland especially
on my first visit. He was so kind to
make recommendations for a safe and successful trip. Along the way, I met more wonderful people
who were traveling to Nigeria, all for different reasons. Some to return home, some to visit family for
wedding, funeral, etc… There was a young lady who is an up and coming musician
who is working on a project and will stay until August. The Nigerian music industry is booming! On the long flight, I sat next to a man
stricken with polio since childhood but, he travels the world to raise awareness
and money for wheelchairs for others with polio, as well as other ways ease
ways of mobility for them. I learned so
much from him and am now thinking of natural and herbal solutions for prevention in high-risk regions such as Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, & Nigeria (P.A.I.N.).
After landing and going through immigration & customs, I
reclaimed my checked bag & went outside to meet my host. First, I was greeted by people wanting to
sell me stuff or take my bags to a cab but, I was shortly greeted by a familiar
face and smile and soon a small welcoming committee just for me. I truly felt welcomed.
My first day was spent in Lagos. I got settled, freshened up, ate some food
and relaxed shortly and was taken to a house to see a man who has been sick a
long time. I did not know where I was
going or who I was seeing so all of my supplies and herbs are still in my room at
the hotel. My host updated me along the
way that the man has been ill for some time and has flown to India to get
treatment and has spent a lot of money already but, they wanted me to see him
and do a brief consult with him and his family.
When I saw him, he seemed puffy and swollen all over. His eyes yellowed. He appeared and acknowledged to be in pain
and having difficulty moving. He had
many other challenges that I will not go into now but, his greatest challenge
was that he seems to find comfort in the foods and mindset that exacerbate his
condition. We did the consult and
discussed detoxing foods & herbs. We
even discussed items that would already be in their kitchen and local herbs
that I had already known about. I sent
him some of my products the next day before I left the city to travel
eastward. Two or so days later, I
received a call reporting that he is taking the herbs and following the instructions
given and there was a noticeable improvement.
I hope that he and the family stick to lifestyle choices that will allow
for the healing to continue. I have shared the information and the tools with a dose of encouragement. The day-to-day discipline will determine the lasting outcome.
I would continue to get calls that people heard that I had
been in Lagos and came by to see me even after I left days ago. I was a
day’s journey away learning more about native plants, herbs, and herbal
application. I see that the need is
great and the interest is there. What is truly impressive to me is how vast and common, the general local knowledge of plants for medicinal herbs and foods are in comparison to what I see in the US. I was impressed at how many people readily and consistently identified various plants and recounted the uses and ways to prepare for consumption. Another thing I noticed was that people cultivated valued plants for food and medicine at home as well as work.
My host family played a huge role in making my experience so
wonderful in Nigeria. I truly am
grateful to them. We made a genuine
connection and I integrated into the family and the community relatively
quickly. I learned cultural norms,
learned about their family business, marketplace negotiations, traditional
values, family structure, various herbs, and foods. They also set up most of my appointments with
the exception of a few chance meetings and impromptu lessons and lectures. It was a case of the right people, right
place, right time. God’s time.
I return to you with an Ibo name that has been given to me
toward the end of my stay in Nigeria. I
am the proud bearer of the name Ogechi. Many of the names in Nigeria seem to either
have a deep meaning or are namesakes of
ancestors or someone who has touched their lives in an important manner. Either way, a name is important and is a
reminder every time your name is called.
My name, Ogechi means “God’s time”.
I truly learned much in the ways of culture, local and general knowledge
in regard to herbs, food and preparation methods, as well as the needs of the
people on continent and the specific region that I visited. I am also aware of the challenges as well as
opportunities that are in Nigeria that struck up wonderful dialogue to bring
about workable solutions.
I even had the surprise honor of meeting Chief Alex Okawkwu before
my trip was over. He is regal without
even trying! We discussed my visit,
education, work, and the needs of the people.
We exchanged perspectives, concerns and opened up communication to build
on solutions and opportunities. It was truly
an honor and I feel extremely humbled as I feel that the task before me is
expanding and becoming greater than I had imagined. A lot has happened in only a couple of weeks
(I wish I could have stayed longer). I
experienced, I learned, shared and worked.
Everything happens in God’s time so all is well and more than sufficient. I have only begun to scratch the surface of
herbal knowledge and application in Africa in regards to health, beauty, and
wellness. My journey is a lifelong and
continuously unfolding. I must thank you
again for being a part of it.
I am in the process of planning a gathering where I can
share some more of my experiences with you. Even though my focus was agricultural and
herbal, I learned so much more. There is so much to share. Stay
tuned.
