MEND: A new member of the family

From MEND // Field Notes from Africa:

We’re so excited to welcome an honorary member to the MEND family!  Monica just gave birth to a baby boy, and named him after Mike, MEND’s current Production Manager.  Monica now has five children: Gerad, Sundra, Doren, Ronnie and Mike.  She said that baby Mike is going to be her last child, so that she can support the whole family and pay all of their school fees with the money she earns through MEND.

Originally from Kansas City, Mike Drackert has been at MEND for a little less than a year, but has fit perfectly into the MEND family.  It’s an honor for Mike to have a namesake as it signifies that friendship can break down cultural differences and divides.

Having a namesake is not to be taken lightly – there are many responsibilities that come along with the honor.  For example, it’s customary in Ugandan culture for the person whom a child is named after to periodically visit the baby, extend friendship to the family, be concerned when the baby is sick, attend birthday and religious gatherings, and be a role model and mentor to the baby as it grows.

Good luck to Mike and Baby Mike!

-Nikki