08/08/2023
Paying it forward
The Story of Carl and Little El
Students’ contributions to their classes @ Yoga Free Geneve has supported a blind single father, Carl, and his daughter, little El, in Kampala, Uganda during last six years now. Some students opt for additionally offering a monthly support or gifting a one-time donation.
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You never know beforehand which of the people you meet may change your life, what they come to mean to you, the role they will play, or the presence their life may take in yours.
So it was with Carl, from Kampala, Uganda. In March 2011, our paths crossed. We met for less than an hour. Same age, entirely different story, but deep within, so much resonating soul. Carl, nearly fully blind due to optic nerve toxicity secondary to long-term malarial treatment.
Trained in finance in India in his twenties, but left to his own device by family and fired by his employer when progressive blindness knocked on his proverbial door. When we met, he was living from handouts and was near the end of his rope, as he would tell me much later. Not once did he ask for anything or shed light on the hopelessness of his situation, neither then, or ever since.
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, nine and a half years ago, 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.
Carl wrote these words following his and Little El’s time in Geneva:
I owe you my sincere gratitude. I do really appreciate the support, the care and the efforts that you have accorded to me. It’s my prayer that you are rewarded abundantly.
I have enjoyed a lifetime experience which has turned tables; one that has given me hope, joy and happiness thus starting a new life.
Being here has raised my hopes, rejuvenated me and whisked away my worries, sadness, stress and depression. I really needed it; it was timely. For little Elke, it opened her eyes to the real life, and provided her with all the basic necessities.
Now five years on, Carl and El have been able to buy a small house. It is placed on a plot of land that isn’t theirs, but the house is. El, now nearly ten, and thanks to the help of a friend, attending a small local school which, compared to the public school, only has 30 students in each class, instead of 80. While school shut for 18 months during the COVID pandemic, El was able to study online thanks to the help of a friend. Due to El’s mother’s continued inability to provide a secure and loving environment for her, Carl needs to go through the necessary legal proceedings to have full custody over El.
Carl has undergone six big surgeries in the past five years, which has slowed down his ability to secure an income. Sadly, getting a salaried job has so far seemed out of reach. Whenever Carl applies for a job and sends in his resume complete with information that he is blind, he is never invited for an interview. When he omits this information, he always is invited and though highly qualified, never offered a job because he is blind. With waged employment not being an option, Carl has focussed his energy on increasing the visibility and influence of the Kampala City Association of The Blind (KACAB), which is a branch of Uganda National Association of the Blind (UNAB). As Chairperson of the KACAB, he has the mandate to initiate and start up income generating activities. This is a job it’s self that, in Carl’s words, “has to be automatically rewarded besides being eligible for funding, disability grants, and donations.”
Carl and little El’s basic monthly running costs amount to approximately CHF 300. While school fees represent a significant additional ticket item; these are graciously being covered by a friend. The above amount neither includes health related expenditure. While a part of Yoga Free’s earnings go directly to supporting Carl and El’s basic monthly costs, your support would make all the difference in ensuring their adequate access to health services. More than this, it would give Carl the moral support on this journey to a dignified life that will allow him to independently take care of little Elke. Know you can count on our gratitude should you decide to make a donation, no matter how big or small. It all counts. Your contribution, in any way, shape or form, will be so appreciated.
Much love and light,
Elke
If you would like to contribute, please contact me.
