Joseph of Africa and America follows an elderly immigrant who recounts more than eight decades of childhood, education, migration, family, and personal transformation to his American grandson. What inspired you to share this story with readers? 

After I retired, I suddenly found myself with plenty of time to indulge in my lifelong passion – reading. I read a lot of biographies and memoirs along with various novels. This led me to examine and reflect on my own life story, and I came to the conclusion that my life story was compelling and inspiring enough to share with the world.

What does the small metal trunk that follows Joseph through boarding school symbolize for you?

The trunk symbolizes for me the triumph of the human spirit over impossible odds. Due to poverty, Joseph’s relations were not able to buy him a new trunk for boarding school; they simply gave him his grandfather’s old trunk which was not adequate for boarding school. Joseph did not despair and instead worked hard in spite of the various challenges he faced and was able to lift himself out of poverty.

Were there any characters who surprised you by becoming more important as the story developed?

That character would be Matt. Matt played an important role in Joseph’s life throughout the story. He was with him at the beginning going to the farm at Camp, then through secondary school, university, and travelling to America; he was still with him in retirement and throughout all of Joseph’s adversities.

What does Joseph of Africa and America suggest about perseverance, family, and the meaning of a successful life? 

It suggests that no matter how dire the circumstances one finds himself/herself in, one must always have hope and never give up. It is possible through hard work, perseverance, and even some help from providence, to emerge victorious from those circumstances. Joseph was able to lead a successful life in spite of his difficult beginning and the various financial and health issues he faced throughout his life.