Mother's tribute to Christian Small

West Africa was his place of self-discovery

One month on from the bombings in London, the mother of Christian Small, Sheila Henry, pays her personal tribute.

Christian had travelled to Africa, his ancestral homeland, but not only physically.

He had made it his mission to set foot on African soil, to travel to various countries in the West of Africa, including Ghana.

Most crucially Christian had journeyed to Africa, not only in body, but also in heart and in mind.

He found his African name Njoya, meaning: "man of strong spirit" and researched into his African family origins.

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 her we came and to her 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, we celebrate your life, a flame that lighted the way and touched many with its warmth

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, or participate in any organisation concerned with developing or progressing Africa; or being part of the initiatives for debt cancellation and fair trade, every little action in the right direction is important.

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 body now returns to the earth, your voice 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 many with its warmth, so short lived and yet brilliant.

Njoya, man of great spirit and determination.

We will always love and remember you.