sorry for the silence. i've been "away" from the office for the week. just a quick week in review, which will not do justice to the people of this country or the situation here, but might help a little. i only hope to help fill the gap, not make things worse in understanding the situation here.
this week has been everything from visiting an orphanage here in Goma, to taking a 3-day trip to a few other villages, to seeing a few kids die, to falling into the hands and care of Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors without Borders) and to finally getting some pictures of Congo.
monday started with the orphanage, which was pretty amazing and humbling in itself. extremely impacting and uplifting, but needless to say, the week held greater impacting events.
wednesday i left with four other reps from Goma (two DOCS reps, one guy from the ministry of health and another community official) on anurse's training to random health and village clinics. basically, it was an educational forum to discuss sexual violence victims and how to treat them properly. also dropped off some drugs and rape kits donated by UNFPA. one infirmiere blew meaway with "well now that we know what to look for, we know it's allover in these mountains and hills. we see a lot of it." apparently, some haven't been sure what they were looking for. have a VERYinteresting story on that which is DEFINITELY going into my dissertation--- but i'll share that later. we were able to hit two village "centre de sante's" before calling it a day and arriving at out final destination for the day-- Kitchanga.
Kitchanga is a make-shift village really. it's built around the road which runs through it. wasn't there 12 years ago, but developed over time from a refugee camp which started 10 years ago there. you can see the remains of the refugee camp on the side of the mountain about 1km away from the main of village. has been basically settled at this point, but is still somewhat used a refugee camp from time to time.
my group out of respect (which is just over the top) didn't want me staying in the same conditions they were staying in, so we stopped at the door of Medecins Sans Frontieres and they took me in without question. the only two expats there (dawn/ female/ canadian/ logistician, and george/male/ greek/ doctor) were extremely hospitible, nice and helpful. as plans fell through for my departure the next day back to Goma, they let me stay another night--- no questions asked. even helped me out with my research and let me visit with their sexual violence clinic and counselors there.
also was able to tour their "theraputic feeding center" there. have numerous pics and stories to go along with them.
didn't sleep much last night--- actually, hardly slept at all. just amillion and one questions running through my head now--- so i had toget up and write them all down, of course--- and i will try and getthem answered before i leave on monday/ tuesday. it's a bit more difficult to get answers from DOCS, but MSF has been SOOOO amazing and more than willing to help. they have totally put things in perspective for me here. and i definitely look forward to applying with MSF over the summer. might hopefully get on with some of their gender based violence emergency centers. if not them, maybe ICRC orIRC. i imagine i'll end up back in DRC. that's where most "first missions" seem to be. that's totally fine with me as it's quite beautiful here.
anyway, i think that's about it--- that's been my week. it's been a rather FULL and interesting week and went by far too quickly. i am sorry to see my time here coming to an end. i feel like i am just finally starting to figure things out, to ask the right questions, to get sincere answers, which of course only turn into MORE questions...but isn't that how it always is?
i leave Goma on monday, hopefully to see the gorillas on wednesday, leave Kigali on thursday--- will reside in Nairobi with my friend Steve on Thursday, and i'll be back in London by friday evening (staying with cousins in just outside of Ely) and back in Edinburgh by the following Monday. time seems to be flying by at this point...
Saturday, May 21, 2005
Monday, May 16, 2005
small world, busy weekend
again, i have no idea where to start. first and foremost, i should thank my friends and family because your emails from this weekend truly put a smile on my face this morning. not that i NEEDED a smile, but it's always nice to read what everyone is up to.
and i am SUPER PROUD of my nephew for eating his entire birthday cake all by himself!!! (to the certain woman who reported that to me--- i know it was hard, but am glad you were able to let aidan have his first bday cake to himself. he doesn't understand how you are about cake--- maybe he can share next year? :-)
ok, ok, ok, ok... so things here are good. not that anything has really changed over the weekend, except maybe my attitude, but life in Goma continues to go on like it does every day here. the poor congolese who are unfortunate enough to come in contact with me on a daily basis continue to be utterly patient with my horrid french and even worse, my attempts at swahili. (liz, we are SOOO speaking swahili when i get back!!)
i showed up at DOCS on saturday morning, not really sure what the day's events would hold, but needless to say it was a full day from the moment i arrived to the moment i fell into bed that night. there was a wedding (which i had forgotten about) on saturday that Virgine and i had to attend as "reps" for DOCS. and what a wedding it was; my first african wedding! (no one is ever allowed to slam catholics for long wedding services again though--- this african wedding made catholic weddings look like a flash in the dark!!)
i have been pretty timid about whipping the camera out just anywhere, so i asked virgine if it would be alright to take some pictures and she gave me the go ahead. as SOON as i had the camera out a woman from the crowd grabbed me and pulled me up next to the family of the groom, so i could have access to take pics of anything i wanted... as long as i took a picture of her as well and promised to send it back. i nodded and promised and will hold to it.
after the ceremony when pics of the bride and groom were being taken, the father of the groom (Pasteur Gilbert-- the man who invited me) grabbed Virgine and i and pulled us into the picture. however, they put me right next to the bride--- the poor girl; like she really wanted to stand next to this complete stranger at her own wedding!! being from DOCS (which is HIGHLY respected here) Virgine gets a great deal of respect, but i think the fact that i was the only mzungu in the crowd only added to that attention.
after the wedding, i visited Virgine's house and met her family. a lively bunch who seem fun to be around. by the time i arrived home, i was full of stories and stayed up and visited with "mama" and gave a rundown of the days events. "mama" happens to be the woman who is taking care of me at the Lusi's house (the directors of DOCS) while they are away. yes, they put me up in their house--- the complete stranger that i am and have people looking out for me--- talk about hospitality. "mama" and i ended up dancing to some congolese music before calling it a night. (aims, i tried to show her what the "ewe" dance looked like. while i was a poor representative, i DID attempt!!!)
sunday was another full day of a 2 1/2 hr church service, running into some guy who flies for the UN who is FROM FAYETTEVILLE, AR (go hogs!) and we discussed fayetteville for a bit and some of the similar people we know there (small world), going for a quick swim in lake kivu, teaching an english class that afternoon while flashing pictures of the fam and aidan (dad, they said you look very young to have such a large family), getting a few pictures of town, one of the volcano smoking (as it does everyday), before returning home for the evening and getting some things done there as well (clothes needed washing again).
side note: m&d, sorry about the phone thing AGAIN... i guess we can just wait 'til i get to kigali which should be next monday evening (tentatively). my first flight to catch on a long trip back takes off next thursday morning (the 26th)from kigali to nairobi, but i'll stay the night in nairobi (with my friend steve, i think) and will then travel all day on friday. i am staying with the keegan's over the weekend and will return to edinburgh two weeks from today (i think that's the 30th--- how's that, jean?).
not sure i am ready to head back at this point, as it seems i only just arrived here and just started getting used to things again. it's easier to slide into the groove of things here than it is to return to what i know as "comfortable", but i am excited to see friends and family again. i have greatly missed my flatmates and would love to get on the phone with the my bros/sis's/parents/nephew and fam again. glad i get the weekend with the keegans. m&d, if i don't talk to you before then, you can always get me there. more soon....
and i am SUPER PROUD of my nephew for eating his entire birthday cake all by himself!!! (to the certain woman who reported that to me--- i know it was hard, but am glad you were able to let aidan have his first bday cake to himself. he doesn't understand how you are about cake--- maybe he can share next year? :-)
ok, ok, ok, ok... so things here are good. not that anything has really changed over the weekend, except maybe my attitude, but life in Goma continues to go on like it does every day here. the poor congolese who are unfortunate enough to come in contact with me on a daily basis continue to be utterly patient with my horrid french and even worse, my attempts at swahili. (liz, we are SOOO speaking swahili when i get back!!)
i showed up at DOCS on saturday morning, not really sure what the day's events would hold, but needless to say it was a full day from the moment i arrived to the moment i fell into bed that night. there was a wedding (which i had forgotten about) on saturday that Virgine and i had to attend as "reps" for DOCS. and what a wedding it was; my first african wedding! (no one is ever allowed to slam catholics for long wedding services again though--- this african wedding made catholic weddings look like a flash in the dark!!)
i have been pretty timid about whipping the camera out just anywhere, so i asked virgine if it would be alright to take some pictures and she gave me the go ahead. as SOON as i had the camera out a woman from the crowd grabbed me and pulled me up next to the family of the groom, so i could have access to take pics of anything i wanted... as long as i took a picture of her as well and promised to send it back. i nodded and promised and will hold to it.
after the ceremony when pics of the bride and groom were being taken, the father of the groom (Pasteur Gilbert-- the man who invited me) grabbed Virgine and i and pulled us into the picture. however, they put me right next to the bride--- the poor girl; like she really wanted to stand next to this complete stranger at her own wedding!! being from DOCS (which is HIGHLY respected here) Virgine gets a great deal of respect, but i think the fact that i was the only mzungu in the crowd only added to that attention.
after the wedding, i visited Virgine's house and met her family. a lively bunch who seem fun to be around. by the time i arrived home, i was full of stories and stayed up and visited with "mama" and gave a rundown of the days events. "mama" happens to be the woman who is taking care of me at the Lusi's house (the directors of DOCS) while they are away. yes, they put me up in their house--- the complete stranger that i am and have people looking out for me--- talk about hospitality. "mama" and i ended up dancing to some congolese music before calling it a night. (aims, i tried to show her what the "ewe" dance looked like. while i was a poor representative, i DID attempt!!!)
sunday was another full day of a 2 1/2 hr church service, running into some guy who flies for the UN who is FROM FAYETTEVILLE, AR (go hogs!) and we discussed fayetteville for a bit and some of the similar people we know there (small world), going for a quick swim in lake kivu, teaching an english class that afternoon while flashing pictures of the fam and aidan (dad, they said you look very young to have such a large family), getting a few pictures of town, one of the volcano smoking (as it does everyday), before returning home for the evening and getting some things done there as well (clothes needed washing again).
side note: m&d, sorry about the phone thing AGAIN... i guess we can just wait 'til i get to kigali which should be next monday evening (tentatively). my first flight to catch on a long trip back takes off next thursday morning (the 26th)from kigali to nairobi, but i'll stay the night in nairobi (with my friend steve, i think) and will then travel all day on friday. i am staying with the keegan's over the weekend and will return to edinburgh two weeks from today (i think that's the 30th--- how's that, jean?).
not sure i am ready to head back at this point, as it seems i only just arrived here and just started getting used to things again. it's easier to slide into the groove of things here than it is to return to what i know as "comfortable", but i am excited to see friends and family again. i have greatly missed my flatmates and would love to get on the phone with the my bros/sis's/parents/nephew and fam again. glad i get the weekend with the keegans. m&d, if i don't talk to you before then, you can always get me there. more soon....
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