Alifirenka Caitlin - I will always write back: how one letter changed two lives

The authors and the publisher have made every effort to ensure that the information in this book is correct. The events, locales, and conversations are based on the authors memories of them.

Copyright 2015 by Caitlin Alifirenka and Martin Ganda

Cover art by gray 138

Cover design by Tracy Shaw

Cover 2015 Hachette Book Group, Inc.

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First ebook edition: April 2015

ISBN 978-0-316-24134-2

E3

These were among the first pictures we sent each other.

This photo was taken in Harare, where I worked as a tea boy. I am wearing a shirt Caitlin sent me.

Around the same time, I attended my schools Winter Ball.

Nation, my mother, and me. (The tins under the bed were used to fetch water for drinking and cooking.)

My family saying thank you to Caitlin and her family for all the wonderful gifts (like the rain boots!). Seated (left to right): my mother, my father, Simba; standing (left to right): Lois, George Jr.

At Marist Brothers Nyanga High School, 2001.

In June 2001, I was a camp counselor. Here I am with Louis the rabbit.

Relieving some exam stress and anxiety with classmates outside the classrooms at Marist Brothers Nyanga High School.

Relaxing with friends. Left to right: Bonaventure, Cornelius, me, Kennedy.

Waiting for Martin at the airport in Philadelphia, 2003.

We greet each other for the first time in person with a big hug (over the barrier wall!).

I risk introducing Martin to Louis the rabbit, even though he once mentioned eating rabbit for dinner.

The 2003 Stoicsitz family Christmas card, including Martin and Wallace.

Together at Caitlins wedding (thats her husband, Dzmitry, on the left), 2008.

Another wedding photo, this one with Rich (left) and Wallace and Richie (right).

This book is dedicated to our mothers,

Anne Neville and Chioniso Ganda,

and our fathers, Richard Stoicsitz

and George Ganda.