I was told of a couple who were recently arrested in The Gambia, apparently for speaking against the state. Being accused of sedition is serious stuff. The couple recently changed their pleas to guilty and asked for leniency.
London Times
BBC News
The Point (Gambia)
Seeking change and yet respectful of one’s surroundings–that’s the focus. Perhaps there are things that do not require comment. Perhaps things can be repeated without interpretation; present just the facts, no more and no less.
In the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season, time is always of the essence. Squeezing in extra time for old friends. Rushing to the store before closing. The hours in the kitchen preparing meals and treats. We glance anxiously at our watches, hoping not to be late for the next appointment.
Things can move a bit differently in The Gambia. When organizing any sort of project or gathering, an important factor is “Gambian time.” This means one learns quite quickly how to be patient. A meeting could be delayed by hours and then inexplicably cancelled. Public holidays are sometimes announced with only a day’s notice.
May this Christmas season be filled with peace, joy and love as you share time and memories with family and friends!
Things I’m working on in the next few weeks:
If you are interested in contributing financially, an online option is available at Canada Helps [choose account 014 from the drop-down list]. For other options, please contact me directly.
I’ve been thinking a lot about faith these last few weeks. This post has been stewing in a deep cluster of neurons, preparing itself for public audiences.
This past February, when I helped organize a pharmacy storeroom in Africa, there were many unknowns. Where would we find affordable building supplies in the face of a lumber embargo? Where would we store the inventory on a temporary basis? How would shelves get built with constant interruptions and offers to “help”? Could it be done in three weeks or so?
But lumber was found. A classroom was turned into a storeroom. Connections were made with the national health department. A national holiday was declared, providing time for a building blitz. All told, “Extreme Makeover: Pharmacy Edition” came off with very few hitches indeed.
Some people had doubts, assuming that, at best, only a portion of the project would be completed. But I, however naively, just assumed it would all work out.
Now, in preparing to return to Africa, I have set out to raise $10,000. A sum which is simultaneously very large and fairly reasonable. I have been overwhelmed with people’s generosity to date. People I haven’t seen or talked to in ages have donated quite freely. I probably have about 30% of my total.
I have also been overwhelmed with the opportunity to share the story about my trip. My mother has been given permission to post something at her workplace (with the federal government). The national hospital pharmacy society will be including a section in their January newsletter. My health district will be running an article in this coming week’s mailing. I will share my stories at church after Christmas.
Even though I won’t be leaving for about two months, a part of me has doubts about reaching my support goal. Is $10,000 too much to be asking of people? Of friends and family and mere acquaintances who are already strapped in this economic crisis?
Those questions don’t truly compare to the biggest one of all: could I, the self-reliant, independent one, truly step back and allow myself to depend on others? Does supporting myself somehow negate what God wants to do? Would doing so be saying “no thank you” to God’s outstretched hand?
So in the middle of my faltering financial faith, God stepped in to show me a few things. I took my car into the shop seeing as it was making odd noises. The prognosis: nothing wrong. [$25 vs. hundreds] I returned a few previous purchases that weren’t quite what I was looking for but found items that were better suited. [$70 savings] I made $1 returning carts in the grocery store parking lot.
Ordinarily these things wouldn’t have caught my attention. In this case, I think I was supposed to see that God would meet my needs, finances included. God will provide. God my Provider.
I only mentioned Sarjo in the briefest of ways during my stay in Africa this past February. There were so many other things to tell you about that he didn’t get a proper introduction.
Sarjo is in his early twenties and is like so many of his North American peers; he enjoys spending time with friends after work, has an ever handy mobile phone and may even have a girlfriend.
When his predecessor left abruptly in 2007, Sarjo took over as the head of the pharmacy storeroom at the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital (RVTH) without the usual training and transfer of information. As a result, he has faced some unique challenges in his role.
In February 2008, I was part of a team that built shelves for the storeroom and organized the current inventory. This November, a pharmacist from B.C. will be visiting RVTH and reassessing the inventory system.
I am looking forward to continuing our work when I return next year! Currently, I plan to be in The Gambia from mid-February through mid-June 2009. I am very excited about my two main roles:
1) Ongoing involvement with the RVTH pharmacy department: educating new staff and improving inventory management.
2) As a CVM staff member, I will help facilitate and follow-up short term projects in February and May. Part of this role includes being the chief hospital liaison.
I am looking to raise financial support for this trip. My costs will be approximately $10,000 for my four month stay. If you are interested in contributing, an online option is available at Canada Helps [choose account 014 from the drop-down list].
Isn’t that how it often works? Someone walks into the room, gets your attention and says ‘I need to make an announcement.’ Then, depending on the person, there is a pause of varying lengths. Sometimes only a second while they take a breath. A few moments while they look down, shuffling their feet back and forth. A few more while they look out at the group, trying to find a friendly face or someone with whom to make eye contact. Then they swallow or clear their throat. Another deep breath. And then it comes; good or bad, joyous or painful, hurtful or healing. Whatever it is, the news comes. Eventually.
Some of you already know this and have known for some time now. There are two things really.
The first is that I got a new, but only temporary, role at work. I am now a Project Coordinator. It’s more like a project facilitator — keeping track of the regional pharmacy department initiatives and keeping them on track, periodically pulling in staff to work on them, ensuring priorities are adhered to and maybe even sitting on committees. I’ll still be taking care of the transplant patients I call my own. While it would be hard to give that up, I think this new position will help me become somewhat less attached … which will be a good thing.
The second thing, perhaps somewhat more exciting, is that I will be returning to The Gambia in February. Unlike previous trips to Africa, this time I will be spending about four months in the country. Part of my role will be to continue working at the hospital; probably doing some teaching and continuing to improve the inventory system. The other part will be to help CVM coordinate the short term teams they will be sending in February and May. As such, I will be the chief hospital liaison — setting up opportunities for the volunteers. I will also be more involved with their projects and help with follow-up.
I will also need to raise approximately $2,500 per month ($10,000 total). If you are interested in partnering with me financially, please let me know and I can give you the specific details.
Of course, I certainly encourage you to pray for me too.
So there it is, after a long pause over the weekend, two, somewhat large, announcements.
I would be remiss if I did not also mention that today we pause to remember those who strive to protect the freedoms held so dearly by our country. It matters not so much if one favours or disfavours war. The sacrifice can be appreciated. There are others, like my grandfathers, who did not fight. While their sacrifice was different, the concept of service was still present for those conscientious objectors.
…we will seek alternatives ways to serve humanity and our countries in the spirit of Christ.
