So, it's been at least a month since I've written in my blog. So much for having kept up-to-date and writing every day. The weather in Bukavu is pretty chilly, and this week is quite sad since a few co-workers and friends are returning home, having reached the end of their mission or not being able to go on with work/security/family conditions. It' s crazy how quickly time has gone by now, and sad to know that I'm always counting the weeks and months until I'll be going back home. I miss my family so much, especially the babies. Vanna sent me a few videos on youtube which was really nice b/c I got to see how adorable Elika and Shou are. I'm so proud of Vanna, she got into Sciences Po this week. As the little older sister, I feel a bit jealous that I'm BEHIND now, but hey, at least she's settled for the next few years, making me feel a bit at ease and less stressed out for her.
On my end, I am continuing to apply for jobs and all. I heard from my fellowship career counselor that I should stay on with IRC if the job interests me. The pressure is quite overwhelming at times, where I see the disorder in the office with so many levels of management and people always moving around or leaving. It's a bit nuts, very stressed out yesterday, as I realized that the people in the field weren't 100% clear of the goals for the period... anyways, I got to speak a bit of my mind to the senior health coordinator, who probably didn't appreciate my inputs. Oh well, I see things aren't moving correctly, a little inputs can only help. I'll be speaking in the month or so with my advisor and the coordinator about whether I see a potential with IRC, especially when it comes to be in charge of program implementation.
Today, we learned that the military guys attacked civilians in their home and pillaged them, killing 3 in the process. It's crazy how the security situation is still not under control.. sad to see and to know, especially when I realize that I could get "out" at any time I things got out of control. Again, thinking about humanitarian work and its paradoxes, the difficulties inherent in this whole sector where you create an imbalance for the society in which you're intervening: riches from expats, the hope of another country/world, and the fact that you're there, out of good will, to help them but really it's also for your own personal/professional growth.
We couldnt' leave the office all day b/c it wasn't sure whether things would get out of control in the town. I couldn't even walk home to go get food! But we bought some bananas outside, so it was fine. The students were preparing a demonstration, b/c one of the persons killed was a fellow student. Police and all were there, but thankfully, it all took place peacefully.
today, I got another call from a creepy guy in the town who managed to get my number. He annoyed me, saying that I was close-minded and didn't want to meet him. I got pissed b/c it's not the first time it happened... and then he tells me not to be scared. Who says that? Anyways, put him in his place, and told him not to ask for my phone number as it's rude and out of place.
Ay! This weekend, we'll be going to Bujumbura, Burundi, for a little weekend outing. I'm exciting since we have Tuesday off and it'll give me a chance to decompress. With all those reports coming in and trying to restructure our little unit, I get headaches and frustrated.
That's all for now... gonna go home since it's getting late and I need to eat.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
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