Memories of a Son and Brother: Christian Njoya Diawara Small

Christian came into this world on the 10th February 1977, and brought a ray of sunshine into the lives of his family and friends. He was the first born of our circle of friends and he became the centre of attention and much love was showered on him. We knew that he was a special boy but little did we know how his special qualities would have impacted on people with whom he came into contact.

From an early age Christian demonstrated a strong will, a high level of consciousness and dedication. These qualities were clearly shown in his love and pursuit of sports, particularly athletics and football - in which he excelled. Although his father was a staunch Tottenham Hotspurs supporter, Christian chose Luton Town Football Club because he could identify with their large selection of high profile Black players and he liked the colours of the kit. Through his love for Luton Town and football, Christian vastly improved his reading, writing and drawing skills and gained a high level of detailed knowledge (geography, culture, architecture and statistics) about football clubs in England, particularly the then First Division.

As Christian's confidence grew, at the age of approximately seven, we witnessed signs of a child who wanted to share and care for those who were younger than himself. Christian was frequently seen mentoring and teaching groups of younger children at Highbury Quadrant Primary School.

We also remember Christian, as a child and young man, as being respectful, diplomatic, caring and loving. Christian had demonstrated a love of people and places and the desire to learn. It was no surprise to us when Christian decided to travel to the US on a Camp America summer scheme, where as a camp leader, he acted as mentor and teacher to a diverse range of disadvantaged children from inner city backgrounds. During his stay in the US Christian developed strong friendships with a group of camp leaders with whom he kept in contact with when he returned to England.

As a gifted soul, Christian was able to successfully balance sports, academia, a search for identity and strong friendships. This gift enabled him to gain a BA (Honours), achieve a personal best in the high hurdles and develop a network of friends from diverse backgrounds. We have come to love Christian's friends for the strength and support they have shown and they are now part of our extended family - an African tradition Christian would certainly approve of.

We now better understand the journey Christian had embarked on. It began with a driving urge to use his knowledge and skills, as a young marketing and business executive and sportsman, to help children and young people, who because of geography, environment and economics, were disadvantaged. Christian was drawn to West Africa, particularly Ghana and Senegal, because he knew that this region was his ancestral home. The seriousness of Christian's wish to help children and young people took root in a small village outside Kumasi known as Tetrafu, where he lived and worked in accordance with the local culture and customs, for over six months. Whilst in Tetrafu, Christian also made journeys to other parts of West Africa, including Timbuktu and the Ivory Coast.

As a great communicator, Christian was not satisfied with acquiring knowledge for knowledge sake - he wanted to share his new found knowledge and experience with family and friends, which he did regularly by way of the Internet. These amusing but highly observant reportage about the cultures of people and places, have proved to be an invaluable source of bringing the African Diaspora into focus for people of African decent. For family and close friends the regular e-mails were greatly anticipated and received because they were Christian's way of informing us about his feelings, health and concerns. On his return, he set about reproducing these emails into a book called WAKE UP AND SMELL THE FUFU.

Christian's spell in Africa, confirmed what he knew; West Africa was his ancestral home and that he had to mark the occasion by way of a strong statement of identity. Christian became Christian Njoya Diawara Small - a man of determination and strong spirit - by deed poll. This was the significant act Njoya did shortly before his life on this earth was suddenly taken, by young men who might have also been searching for identity, on the Holborn bound tube on the morning of the 7th July 2005.

We are delighted that Njoya's legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of his family, friends and well wishers and that his work continues in the form of THE NJOYA FOUNDATION, which was set up to support children of African decent to understand and be proud of their heritage and to work for greater achievements in school.

Whilst we are devastated by the sudden loss of Njoya, we are proud and comforted to have brought a gifted boy (Christian) into this world who became a much loved man of determination and strong spirit (Njoya).

Njoya, you are much loved and missed and will never be forgotten.

CHRISTIAN NJOYA DIAWARA SMALL

In the words of our ancestors:
Life is but movement of eternal return.
Even trees (whose branches reach out to the sky must eventually) fall
And return to Earth
The Mother and source of all humankind.
From where we came and to where we return
In the wisdom of our ancestors
The Force we call God, which the Igbo call Chukwu the Great Chi , the Yoruba call Oludumare, the Akan call Onyame, the Dogon call Amma, and so on: This one God with so many names is within nature, within each of us, surrounding us and embracing us all.
If, as our ancestors believed, God is a Force that sustains life and everything in existence, then the Force of God must be love and respect for the sacredness of life. For without this human beings could not survive.

We cannot allow any anger at the loss of our beloved son and brother to divide us or deflect us from the direction in which his life has clearly pointed, through his travels and aspirations.

Christian's look towards Africa in his travels and in his spirit reminds us, even as Africans who are European citizens, that our focus must be Africa, the physical and spiritual homeland, in fact, of all human beings. Whether it is to keep Africa in the consciousness of the youth and educate them about Africa as Christian did.
For this diversity of positive motion will become a great movement of people for African change and renaissance.

Christian, you return now to that Great Source from which we have all come. Though you will live forever in our hearts and minds and be with us in spirit, your voice now becomes one with the wind, your tears one with the rain, your laughter one with the waves. Christian, we celebrate your life, a flame that lighted the way and touched so many with its warmth, so short lived and yet brilliant Njoya, man of great spirit and determination.

We will always love you.

So short lived and yet brilliant

Your voice now becomes one with the wind, your tears one with the rain, your laughter one with the waves.

Sweet sweet N