Have you moved to Norway because of a Norwegian? Or are you Norwegian and have a foreign partner? Read on to learn about other people in the same situation. You’ll be surprised to find out how similar your thoughts and feelings might be.
This interview is part of a series of Interviews with Norwegians (Having A Foreign Partner in Norway). We talked to Elin Kanu, who is married to Dennis Kanu, originally from Sierra Leone.
Elin, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I’m 36 and I grew up in Bryne. I have a mom and dad, three sisters, a brother-in-law, one niece, and a family-in-law in Sierra Leone. I worked for seven years with a mission team in Norway, in which I joined and led outreaches to Alaska, Brazil, Thailand and Ethiopia.
I studied at Hald Internasjonale Senter for 3 years after completing high school. During the second year, I completed work/practical experience in Tynset, and in my third year, I travelled to Iceland while I started music teacher studies. After that, I came to Stavanger to complete my teacher training. I decided to start with Youth With a Mission, where I stayed for seven years (in Troms, Hamar, and five years in Skien).
I studied Travel and Tourism in Skien for a year, then worked at the Epcot Centre, Disneyworld, in Orlando, USA. After four months, I returned to Skien, where I stayed until I started my Bachelor of Bible translation (BRIK= Religion and Intercultural Communication) at the School of Mission and Theology (MHS) in Stavanger. I’m doing my theology studies at MHS now.
When and where did you meet Dennis?
We met at MHS in 2007.
Which of Dennis’ qualities attracted you most?
His openness and generosity towards me and his positive attitude.
Can you tell us a bit about Dennis?
He’s a highly intelligent, complex person, with lots of knowledge, guts, humor. He’s diligent, cheerful, and encouraging. Dennis grew up in a missionary family in Sierra Leone. His family they moved quite a bit because of his father’s work. During the war, they had to stay in the jungle for long stretches at a time (for example, a month or so). They slept on wigs and leaves and dug for vegetables in the ground.
Dennis attended a Catholic boys’ school in Makeni. He financed his own education by working as a teacher for 3-4 years before he went to the University in Freetown, where he completed a Bachelor of Literature and Linguistics.
In Norway, Dennis passed the Bergen test (an advanced Norwegian language exam) in 2005, and completed a Bachelor’s degree (RIK) at MHS in 2009. He’s now in his second (and last half year) of the Master of Global Studies program.
When did Dennis come to Norway?
He came to Norway in 2002.
When and where did you get married?
We got married at the Time church (near Bryne)on July 10, 2010.
Was it a traditional Norwegian wedding or did your wedding have elements of both cultures?
It was quite a traditional Norwegian wedding. We had some good friends from the Stavanger Baptistmenighet who are very close to him; they could be called his “dad” and “mom” here. They gave wonderful speeches about Dennis’ life in Sierra Leone.
Have there been any challenges to your relationship? If so, how did you handle these challenges?
The challenges have been about our different backgrounds and about getting a sufficient understanding of the other person’s actions or words sometimes. We have talked and there has beena lot of prayer over our relationship.
Was there criticism from people about your relationship and how did you deal with it?
Yes, we dealt with some heavy criticism and this was hard to ignore. It was important for me to have wisdom and discernment in dealing with the information that came to me so that it would not have a negative effect on my relationship to Dennis.
What do you hope to achieve together as a couple?
We want to help kids in Sierra Leone grow and thrive spiritually, emotionally, mentally and physically by providing them with school support. We also aim to mobilize people in Sierra Leone so they can take on responsibility for the future generations of the country.
Can you tell us more about the Sierra Leone project?
We have so far paid school fees for 10 children in Sierra Leone, so they can attend school for one year. We have bought a property, which is roughly 3000 square metres, in Sussex (Sierra Leone). We hope to have a mission base there, where we would reside when working on site. It will also serve as a place to stay for guests and possibly for locals who will work there. We currently have a caretaker who lives on the property, someone who handles real estate matters, and a lawyer to handle all legal information and ensure that all matters are addressed with compliance.
Dennis’ sister, Anita, is a primary school teacher who helped us map out 10 children (as a start) who need special help with school assistance and tuition fees. She plans on doing a computer course to improve her competency with computers. She anticipates on sending information, including photos and regular updates, about the children who are currently sponsored to complete one full year at school. We hope to assist the development of Anita’s competencies and skills so she could better support the project. Her role, educational background, and teaching experience will be one of the important components towards starting up the project’s success.
Who are you helping for this project?
We are focused on helping children who are in a vulnerable position. Indirectly we’re helping the society and nation through them, because they will be part of building the future for the country.
What do you hope to achieve out of the project?
We want people – the children – who are part of the project to grow in a positive and loving environment and for them to meet their fullest potential. We hope for them to be encouraged, to make the most of their talents and capabilities, and for them to respect and love themselves and others.
How often do you travel to Sierra Leone?
I’ve been there once with Dennis during December 2010 through to January 2011. Dennis returned to Sierra Leone in Easter 2011 to check that the project was operating smoothly, and he hopes to go back again next Easter.
Would you consider living in Sierra Leone? If so, for how long? And how will you keep connected with your Norwegian roots?
Yes, we want to stay there for at least some months at a time. My parents own half of the property in Sussex, so either they come and stay with us, or we’ll buy a house in Bryne where we can live when we’ve finished our studies in Stavanger.
Do you plan on having children together in the future? If so, what life lessons would you and Dennis want most for your kids?
Yes, that would be nice. I pray that I will not cause any pain to them, but help them to grow into full maturity and confidence in every way (emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually), for whatever they set out to do.
How can people get in contact with you and learn more about the Sierra Leone project?
We can be contacted by mail (mine and Dennis’), Facebook and by phone. We have a web page which is still under construction but will have information, including photos, on the project.
What advice do you and Dennis give to others who are in similar relationships?
To live accountable and faithful in every way to each other. Be free to believe in everything you can hope for. Pray for renewed love, power, strength and joy for everything we are, have been and ever hope to be. Dennis and I start the day with a prayer.
Thank you for your time! We wish you and Dennis the best.
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About Estelle Pettersen
Estelle is an Australian who has been living in Norway since June 2006. She is married to a Norwegian and has two children. She has worked in journalism, integrated marketing communications, and as a senior strategy consultant in both the public and private sectors. Estelle loves reading, writing, history, travelling and spending time with her family. She has written published material resulting from her studies (MBA) and her work. She wants to keep writing, learn new things, and improve her Norwegian skills.
