Kimba's kindness

Nearly two decades ago, a young Angolan man, Kimba Ngana, fled his native country to escape incarceration and even death for protesting the corrupt government. He fled to Brazil. He had a dream that he would eventually come to America, the home of Martin Luther King, as he had been inspired by reading King’s writings. To him, America was the land of the free where he could become an even more educated man by attending medical school in order to help others less fortunate.

After spending several years in Brazil, Kimba saved enough money to begin the long and arduous months-long journey to America. He legally entered the States at the California border as he had planned. He was immediately detained, spending days in detention without contact with anyone. Then, with his hands and feet bound, he was loaded onto a plane with others with little to drink or eat and flown cross country to Georgia. He eventually landed in the ICE detention facility in Folkston. 

Despite all the horrific things that happened (and there were many more things beyond what I've shared here), Kimba was always ready to talk with new detainees to help them find hope in the most hopeless of situations. When Kimba was transferred to the Folkston ICE facility, a woman who was helping him contacted me to see if I would be willing to visit Kimba. Of course I said yes! I recruited three other women, and we left for Folkston to visit Kimba, not knowing what we would encounter.

Who we encountered was a gentle soul, eager to engage in conversation. There are many stories to tell about that first contact and the other visits we made before his move to the Irwin detention facility in Georgia and his eventual deportation. It would take a book to share all of them. At the Irwin ICE facility, Kimba — along with other detainees — learned of the brutality against female detainees, including sterilization without consent. They began protests, including hunger strikes, and attempted to schedule talks with the media. This was yet another act of compassion to save women and others from the brutalities of ICE. As a result of these protests, Kimba and other detainees were boarded on a plane and flown under horrible conditions to their various countries and imprisoned there.

Through support of friends in the States, friends in Angola and friends he had formed over the years, Kimba was released from prison and remained in Angola for a couple of years under the same corrupt government he left years before. He worked hard to obtain work without much success and eventually was able to go to Portugal through a program created by the Portuguese government. It was bad timing for him there since Portugal was in financial difficulty. Unemployment rates were high and jobs were given only to citizens. Even with an amazing resume, Kimba was unable to obtain a job.

Following a year or so in Portugal, Kimba, through longtime friends who had emigrated to France years before, was assisted with entrance to France. He is now in the process of working with a pro bono attorney to obtain a work visa and eventual permanent residency. He has passed the French exam with flying colors and is working as an experienced barber without pay. (Kimba owned his own barbershop in Angola.) He especially enjoys working with the young boys in the neighborhood and serves as their barber as well as a role model. We asked him if the young boys request certain hairstyles. He laughed lightly and responded, “Oh, they come with pictures from the internet of what design they want!" He has sent a couple of videos of the designs including some of his verbal interactions with the boys. The young boys trust him and see him as a role model and a kind and good person.

There are so many more stories that could be shared about Kimba. Hopefully this has given you insight into the life of a young man who has been a role model to many, including many of us here in the States. He has been a trusted friend and a comforting presence to people in despair, despite the trauma he himself has endured. I am thankful that Kimba is in my life. His kindness and compassion live on in all whose lives he has touched.

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Anne Showalter has lived in Fernandina Beach for 26 years. She grew up in Jacksonville from the age of 10 until leaving for college. She spent the majority of her professional life as a clinical social worker. After moving to the Island, she worked as a bereavement specialist with Community Hospice. In retirement she has enjoyed volunteering with various local organizations, including with the court system as a Guardian ad Litem, Community Hospice and Council on Aging.

If you have a story you'd like to share here in the Fernandina Observer — about a neighbor or friend or stranger or business that showed kindness, or about kindness and compassion in general — please contact Peggie Weeks at pegweeks@gmail.com