So yes, getting super busy with reports and procedures and coordination! This happened the last time I went on vacation. I've been working about 70 hours a week, with a big headache when I get home.
I was writing my personal statement in my application to the Red Cross yesterday, and I couldn't help but reflect on my personal role here. It's a question that's ongoing and that I don't think will go away. I've felt empowered by my coworkers and the people around me, but also skeptic by the actions of other humanitarian actors and the Congolese themselves. I don't want to get too close to some people, as I know they'll try to ask me for money. I want to help them and become friends, but I don't know how that's possible. One of the guards was asking for books to read, and I lent him some.. the next day, he asked me for money.
Working abroad is full of contradictions and questioning about yourself, the history that's our legacy, and how you can make an impact all the while contextualizing yourself in the environment. I've found that this experience has taught me a lot about working in a humanitarian organization, working in a country with a history of corruption and horrow, and working with people whose status in life is very different from yours.
The work continues, but I feel involved as I'm participating in evaluation visits, hiring people, drawing contracts, and helping to support programs. It's great, but I wish I had more time to reflect while at work.
Well, until next time... just a few things I needed to get off my chest.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
International Women's Day Preparation!
Wow... so who would have thought that organizing international women's day for an office of 130 people and for the whole city can be so tiresome! I was so excited about this project, especially b/c it gives me a chance to interact with the staff and to work on real activities! However, I have to say, dealing with the organization's procedures can be such a pain! It took us maybe 4 days to just get paper... the demand had to go through this department, and then that department, and then another department, and another final signature! And to get the money to buy the material, another set of interesting signatures! Goodness, it felt so frustrating, but again, maybe the lack of planning on the part of the organizers...
It's really great to see the women in the office getting excited about this upcoming date! I'm glad to see the men getting involved as well, but I got into some interesting discussions/arguments about women, men, and human rights. It's such a contradiction and it's a bit worrisome to see the men saying that women's day should be a day where men are celebrated by women! Oh my... I got into some heated arguments, and it was no joke that they really believed that. I think for the women here, it was another sign of the fight they have to fight. But how mad it makes me to see them so quiet, when they have so much to say! One woman in the office has such great insights into society, but yet she keeps quiet. We had a meeting when organizing the events, and as soon as the men got involved, the women kept quiet. I think I was a bit straightforward with the men, but I made sure that their role was as support and not as people to lead the whole process... it's not only disempowering to the women but also a renewal of their dominance. It must have been the first time they heard anyone say something like this, and especially a woman... but I'm glad that it was what was needed to get the women comfortable enough to speak up a bit.
Women's day is just a few days away, and although it won't be perfect, I am so glad for the partnership and effort that every women and men put into preparing for this event. The guys are getting excited to sing and to recognize women... I can't wait to see it, and I will be sure to take pictures.
An interesting thing I heard today was from the head of the gender-based violence program, telling me that in her experience, no matter how hard of a life women have had, they can still keep a smile. In Congo, women have been raped, abused, and objectified, both in the family and in society, yet, they keep a smile and go on. To me, this is what amazes me about this country and especially the women: their power, their will to live, and their hope. And it's not cheesy or a joke, but it's truly what many believe and hold on to. They get involved, they participate, they smile, and behind their smile, you can just imagine all the horrors they've lived through and experienced.
All these realizations are but an acknowledgment of our privilege and our luck in the world. I can be online at this moment reflecting on these experiences, but how lucky am I to be able to do this. The women and girls here often only have time to think about the next day and how they'll survive... and here I am at times mad at life, mad at the lack of time, mad at someone having been rude... yet there are so many more important things out there that my worries seem so miniscule and unimportant.
And on this upcoming day, I want to take the time to reflect on the status of women in society, our power, our solidarity, and the fact that together, we keep this world up, b/c men have a tendency to make it worst with their thirst of power.
It's really great to see the women in the office getting excited about this upcoming date! I'm glad to see the men getting involved as well, but I got into some interesting discussions/arguments about women, men, and human rights. It's such a contradiction and it's a bit worrisome to see the men saying that women's day should be a day where men are celebrated by women! Oh my... I got into some heated arguments, and it was no joke that they really believed that. I think for the women here, it was another sign of the fight they have to fight. But how mad it makes me to see them so quiet, when they have so much to say! One woman in the office has such great insights into society, but yet she keeps quiet. We had a meeting when organizing the events, and as soon as the men got involved, the women kept quiet. I think I was a bit straightforward with the men, but I made sure that their role was as support and not as people to lead the whole process... it's not only disempowering to the women but also a renewal of their dominance. It must have been the first time they heard anyone say something like this, and especially a woman... but I'm glad that it was what was needed to get the women comfortable enough to speak up a bit.
Women's day is just a few days away, and although it won't be perfect, I am so glad for the partnership and effort that every women and men put into preparing for this event. The guys are getting excited to sing and to recognize women... I can't wait to see it, and I will be sure to take pictures.
An interesting thing I heard today was from the head of the gender-based violence program, telling me that in her experience, no matter how hard of a life women have had, they can still keep a smile. In Congo, women have been raped, abused, and objectified, both in the family and in society, yet, they keep a smile and go on. To me, this is what amazes me about this country and especially the women: their power, their will to live, and their hope. And it's not cheesy or a joke, but it's truly what many believe and hold on to. They get involved, they participate, they smile, and behind their smile, you can just imagine all the horrors they've lived through and experienced.
All these realizations are but an acknowledgment of our privilege and our luck in the world. I can be online at this moment reflecting on these experiences, but how lucky am I to be able to do this. The women and girls here often only have time to think about the next day and how they'll survive... and here I am at times mad at life, mad at the lack of time, mad at someone having been rude... yet there are so many more important things out there that my worries seem so miniscule and unimportant.
And on this upcoming day, I want to take the time to reflect on the status of women in society, our power, our solidarity, and the fact that together, we keep this world up, b/c men have a tendency to make it worst with their thirst of power.
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