We have some devastating news in the DMV area today. We are mourning the passing of our beloved aunt, mother, and sister, Sharifa Kalala. Some People may ask how this wonderful woman carried so many titles; the answer is pretty simple. She was a people's person, kind-hearted woman with a tremendous generous spirit.
I first met aunt Sharifa a few days after I arrived in the USA in 1997. A friend who had resided in her house happened to be my roommate and took me to her house. Her first question to me was: "you just came from Tanzania?" This is your home, you are welcome here any time, she continued. Initially, I didn’t understand what she meant, but over the years, I came to realize what she really meant. The lady was one of the kindest women I have come to know since my arrival in the USA.
There are so many heartfelt stories to tell about this woman. I don’t even know where to start. When DJ Luke asked me to write her obituary, my first question to him was, how many pages do you need?
There's a story of a friend of mine that came to study in the USA in the 90s. After arriving at her college campus, she was dismayed to find out that the college didn’t have a hostel for students. She was devastated. She was stranded on the street until some taxi driver told her that she knew a Tanzanian lady in Hyattsville. She was dropped off at aunt Sharifa’s house and ended up living there for months to come, free of charge.
Then there is a story of another friend who found himself homeless after she was kicked out of her place by relative because she couldn't afford to contribute her part of the rent. She is also a graduate of the Kalala residence.
This is a typical testimony. My relative who invited me to the USA was supposed to pick me up at the airport and host me. When I got to the airport, he or she stopped answering my calls and didn’t show up at the airport to pick me up, I didn’t know what to do until a friend of a friend gave me aunt Sharifa number and ended up living in her house until I get my new life back up together.
If you talk to people who knew aunt Sharifa or those who just happened to come across her, you will see that there are so many stories like these to tell about the spirit of unconditional generosity this woman possessed. Her house was moderate in size, but you just can’t believe how many people it received and accommodated throughout the years. Many people in the community started their journey of life in the USA from her house. And received some form of help from her to advance their endeavors. She had a modest home by any American standard, and yet so vast and abundant of love and kindness to many of us. Every time you visited her home, it was like going to the guest house. You would always meet many new faces. Relatives, friends, neighbors, etc.
She never said NO to a newcomer or anyone. She opened her doors to everyone who needed help, and above all, her support was unconditional, charge-less, out of her kindness. She truly represented the best of DMV and Diaspora. If there is a lesson, we can learn from her legacy to improve our polarized and toxic DMV atmosphere, it is to be united, kind to one another, and wish each other well.
People always have the most beautiful things to say about her spirit of generosity. "I met my wife in Kalala’s house. I started my life there; I couldn't finish college without the help of aunt Sharifa; Aunt Sharifa helped to put my family back together after my divorce; and so many more emotionally touching and life-changing stories.
The community couldn't lose a much better or bigger person. She participated in community events and always available to offer help when it was needed or to volunteer for some event. She was a pillar in our community. That's who she was. She never complained and always maintained a positive attitude.
My wife happened to be very close to her, and aunt Sharifa visited our house several times. One thing that was so obvious is that it was so easy to be comfortable around her. You couldn’t resist but trust her with anything, including your very own stories, and she was always there to offer advice. She was a good listener and a superb mentor.
Aunt Sharifa succumb to a brief illness on Saturday and was buried on Sunday in Atlanta, Georgia. She leaves behind to cherish her memory, her husband, Mzee Kalala, 2 daughters and 5 step children. She will forever be missed and we will forever be indebted to all her kindness, love and her commitment to the community.
THE END
2/24/20
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