Dear Darfur…

I left Geneva at 0430 hrs. I was surprised to meet up with other MSF folk at the airport- Milena, Serge and Maia. They are wonderful people, some of whom had been to Sudan before and are back for another dose. I’m not sure if the details I heard from them are reassuring or concerning but their presents was certainly comforting. Like many other developing countries the Sudan is a wonderland of NGO (non-government organizations). I am greatful and proud to be working with MSF.

At first I thought I was just feeling the exhaust from the jet- but it was indeed one of the cooler temperatures I will being feeling for the next 7 months of 40 degree celcius (over 100 F). My flease jack will not be necessary.

The people of Khartoum are friendly and calm. I guess any intense emotion or movement will make the heat even more difficult. The country (or the capital anyway) has a surprising about of imported material in my opinion. Walls are made of dry wall, air conditioners are sticking out of a few windows, professional looking hydrolines, and coffee!!! thank goodness. I was expecting a more decilate environment but to my surprise there are tropical trees, and some nice gardens. I ate a delicious lemon this am. straight from the tree; my craving must have been indicative of my vitamin C deficiency. I was very timid in my lemon mission… How common are snakes in the tree and the grass. I am more senstive to the heat based on Al Gores award… regardless of the accurance of his inconvient truths, global warming is a political and a peace issue. Movement of people are often based on resources due to climate change. You may have to verify my points for me, because this internet is too slow.

I’m typing from a tiny internet cafe, very slow internet, and the stickiest key board ever. By the time I finish the sentense I forget what I was writing about.

I spoke to a few administrators from the MSF Khartoum office to get the vibe of the project I will be working on. I am more excited then ever to get started. I wish I could explain the political and security information in this blog but I need permission, plus thats not why I’m writing this blog. In addition, the situation is so complex it would be impossible to explain it in a way that is accurate and fair.

I will do my best to put pictures in my next blog. I’m not sure how this population takes to having their picture taken. In addition, I do not want to appear like I am here for the tourism.

Well, I’m going to suck on some more lemons and do some more reading. I hope all is well in Canada, miss you all ready.

…a very lovely city. I am here in Geneva for my briefing at the Swiss MSF office. This city is cute compared to Toronto… I think I am in Whooville from “how the Grinch stole Christmas”. Speaking of WHO, I had dinner with a Canadian friend from the Would Health Organization (Amy). I was also found by a Human Rights NGO – Human Rights Watch (I was locked out of my building). So my briefing ended up being somewhat self-directed and intersectoral out side of the office. MSF has a dual mandate in advocacy/humanitarian rights issues based on medical or health findings.

In the MSF office, I learned plenty about my project. I will be working with a team of five expatriate staff – an MD, a field co coordinator, a midwife, and a logistician (engineer type of person). I will also be working with about 24 people from the community – nurses, guards, translators, etc. I finally made contact with the team via email… they sound like a reasonable friendly bunch.

WHY MSF?

A good nurse looks at illness outside of the medical context. As mentioned above, MSF captures what nursing by including the social and political context of people in need.

I love excitement. As much as I feel it is important to help those in need… my interest goes beyond helping. I consider myself very lucky, and I think we all have a lot to learn from those living in developing countries. Everyone likes to rescue, but rescuing is temporary and patronizing. All those involved from the patients receiving care, to the national MSF staff and those in political positions need to be included with provision of health.

WHERE AM I WORKING?

I will be working in Seleia. A community 100 km north of El Geneina consisting of about 5000 residents and 15000 internally displaced people. This community is only accessible by helicopter because of security implications. Thus, MSF is supporting the existing health clinic by addressing patient care needs related to population increase and lack of access to El Geniena.

Politically, the situation is very difficult to describe in a public blog. The MSF Charter includes statements of both neutrality and impartiality. Therefore I will not be differentiating between the supposed criminals and the victims. Anyone in need of medical aid is to be perceived as a human being before being regarding as any particular party.

WHY AM I BLOGGING?

From speaking to various communication officers, blogs like mine can create a significant security risk.In the passed humanitarian workers have been arrested in there attempts to speak out about various acts of violence and political controversy.In addition, I am also concerned about exploiting the population I work with by using their troubled lives for gross pictures, emotional reactions, and my hobby. The purpose of this blog is to put meaning to a challenging experience, to put a face to the MSF experience, provide an anecdotal perspective on living in troubled areas of the Sudan, and to communicate with people where only satellite communication exists.I want to speak about the small things in my daily life: the food, the bugs, daily if of community members.Furthermore, we all need reminders that the people of Sudan are people too… not just pictures on the news.Although it is disclaimed that this blog is an individual opinion; it still needs to represent the collective MSF image and vision.

So tomorrow I am off to Khartoum, Sudan. I hope to provide more contextual information from Khartoum, after I explore what is safe to share. Right now I a very sleepy and quite frankly “spun out”. I better do some reading.

Dear Darfur,

I am looking forward to learning about your region, the people, and the conflict. I will be heading to GenevaSwitzerland for a briefing, then to Khartoum, then to a town called Selea (aka Seleia, or Seleya). Selea is in the North West area of Darfur in the Sudan. I will be working at a health centre servicing anyone that needs help, but I am placed there based on the large numbers of internally displaced people in the area. Apparently, this primary health care clinic has some surgical capacity – I can’t picture it.

I am completing my last few shifts at St. Michael’s hospital in Toronto before I depart next week. Working as a nurse can be difficult even in a developed tertiary center like St. Mikes. Patients, families, and staff can take refuge when people are sick knowing that: Everything is being done, that could be done- such as consults, surgery, procedures etc. Working in a state of the art facility, in a developed country makes sickness and even death a little easier to accept. I do not think I will feel this way when I’m treating people whose thoughts are consumed with where they will get their food and water from. I wonder if people who live in developing countries know how difficult there lives are… or do they just get used it.I wonder what factors allow Canada to be ranged number 11 on the life expectancy list – leaving the Sudan ranked at 156.

When preparing for my last MSF project my biggest concern was trying to get all my music to fit onto my ipod. This time I am concerned about my competency, endurance, and feelings about poverty. (Though I do need to make sure there is coffee in the Sudan).