Sometimes I get to writing this at the end of a week and think, what have I done? What could I tell you that’s interesting? I think I forget how different life really is here than home.
Last Sunday I went to visit a leper lady with Marlene (housemate who’s lived here for 8 years). We sat on the mat and visited, by that I mean Marlene visited and the rest of us tried to understand. A friend of hers made us coffee as she has only tiny stubs of fingers left and toes that are similar. She has 7 children, lives in a small hut that is kept well. She can no longer make the Tekias (straw walls that people use to make shelter from the rest of the world), that she used to make for money. I think I often forget, even being here, how sad some people’s lives are here. How much we take for granted!
AIDS runs rapidly through Africa. We all know that. I’ve been told that it’s either not talked about here or it’s not as bad but I saw a woman affected by it this week. She walked past me with her stick as a cane, probably no more than 35. She moved slower than anyone I’d ever seen. She has a few, I’m not sure how many, beautiful children that play with friends of ours. Both parents have it and the children haven’t been tested.
I finished teaching my English class this week. I think I’m contemplating whether or not I want to be a teacher or not anymore now. It was so hard to mark the exams and not be sad as a few of them came close to failing. I thought how can I be a teacher if I cry when I mark exams! I’ll have to work on that area. It’s hard when you know they’re trying. I got some redemption though when I had a small party with them on Friday to give them their certificates and give them my congratulations on passing. This included introducing 6 innocent souls to chocolate cake and potato chips. Yes I did say introduce. We had been discussing the vocabulary word “chip” during class and none of them knew what it was in English or French. They’re sold in town but at $4.50 a tube (Pringles) they’re not in most people’s price range. Not really in mine! I think they like my chocolate cake more than the Pringles but they were excited to try something new. If only North Americans didn’t know the word “chip.”
Lastly I must apologize to my fellow Manitobans who may have heard me on the radio (CJOB 68) this week. In my 2 minute live interview I said something about “going to the market and buying small packets of salt and sugar.” I have since become the laughing stock of our team and have some reservations that this confession may leave me in the same state at home. I have not bought salt or sugar since coming to Chad. In fact we buy salt in fairly normal form here. To my aid I must say you can buy salt in rock form in small packages and sugar in a large cone form. It’s funny what your mind comes up with when put under pressure for an answer so quickly. I should’ve just referred them to here where the truth comes out! Really, everything I say here is truth… I think.
That’s it for this week, maybe next week I can tell you about my conversation with my friend on how many wives a man should have. From the desert where the air is heating and the Sahara winds are blowing, Agodu aafe (stay well).
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Sunday, February 17, 2008
perseverance
The aftermath of a war is never pretty I suppose and N’djamena is no exception. Although I still feel rather distanced from it here in Abeche. I don’t think I really realized the severity of the situation until I read the stories of those who were evacuated. One missionary, who has lived in Chad for forty years, said it’s the worst he’s seen in his time. A big struggle for many people was the lack of communication. As both cell phone companies went down and the land line became unreliable it was very difficult for people to contact their families. Not to mention the fact that most people don’t possess a land line. A few of my English students struggled with not being able to find their families but I think all of them have been accounted for now- Praise the Lord! Some of the affects in Abeche have been the phone’s not working, the bank wasn’t open, trucks couldn’t get here and so food prices went up, and people living on the edge. What a life it is for them to constantly be in such tension. My peacekeeping neighbours have fully moved in now it seems, without a wall around their compound they’re quite exposed. For entertainment we can go watch them shave or try to get rid of the children who surround them. Always something to do here!
Perseverance would describe these people well. Although they don’t have much of an option. They aren’t the only ones that persevere here though. The nasty angarasa, ants, struck again this week. This time it bit me between my toes. I now try to keep my feet off the floor, at least without shoes. They seem to do a fine job cleaning it anyways as long as my toes don’t get in the way. Children persevere as well in asking, “Donne moi une cadeau!” Give me a present for those of you who don’t speak French. With which I respond, “Cadeau ma fi.” I don’t have one. To which they say, “La, cadeau ga’iid.” No, it’s there. At which point I continue to walk unless they’ve grabbed on to me. If they’ve done that I put on my mean face and say, “Abuk wen?” Where’s your father? Then they run away scared. I can usually get rid of them after I say I have none but there are those with determined minds.
The dust also persists in the place. If anyone is looking for a fake tan here’s the place to be! I often think my feet have tanned but by the time my shower is finished it seems the tan has completely faded away. The Sahara winds are starting and I’ve yet to experience a real dust storm but I’m told they are on their way. I have managed to start to get a real Lafaye (veil) tan. I think it may be worse than a farmer’s tan as only half of one arm is tanned and the other remains white. It could be worse though.
I will finish my English course this week and I’m probably more nervous than they are about them passing the exam. Then it looks like we have plans again to try to visit Adre, the very East of Chad. Third time’s a charm, right? Our, the family I teach and I, are also planning to move to N’djamena for my last month of Chadian life because the family that did live there was evacuated and not to return until May. So, as much as it kills me to say it, I’ll have to ask that no more mail be sent to me through the addresses I have given after this week. It for sure should not be sent through the Chadian address. If sent through the French Army address it should be sent air mail or else I’m afraid I will have left by the time it arrives. Thanks so much to all of those who have sent letters and packages. What a delight it is to receive them! And so I’ll leave you until next week. Keep persevering through that cold weather back in Manitoba, I’ll bring the sun home soon.
Perseverance would describe these people well. Although they don’t have much of an option. They aren’t the only ones that persevere here though. The nasty angarasa, ants, struck again this week. This time it bit me between my toes. I now try to keep my feet off the floor, at least without shoes. They seem to do a fine job cleaning it anyways as long as my toes don’t get in the way. Children persevere as well in asking, “Donne moi une cadeau!” Give me a present for those of you who don’t speak French. With which I respond, “Cadeau ma fi.” I don’t have one. To which they say, “La, cadeau ga’iid.” No, it’s there. At which point I continue to walk unless they’ve grabbed on to me. If they’ve done that I put on my mean face and say, “Abuk wen?” Where’s your father? Then they run away scared. I can usually get rid of them after I say I have none but there are those with determined minds.
The dust also persists in the place. If anyone is looking for a fake tan here’s the place to be! I often think my feet have tanned but by the time my shower is finished it seems the tan has completely faded away. The Sahara winds are starting and I’ve yet to experience a real dust storm but I’m told they are on their way. I have managed to start to get a real Lafaye (veil) tan. I think it may be worse than a farmer’s tan as only half of one arm is tanned and the other remains white. It could be worse though.
I will finish my English course this week and I’m probably more nervous than they are about them passing the exam. Then it looks like we have plans again to try to visit Adre, the very East of Chad. Third time’s a charm, right? Our, the family I teach and I, are also planning to move to N’djamena for my last month of Chadian life because the family that did live there was evacuated and not to return until May. So, as much as it kills me to say it, I’ll have to ask that no more mail be sent to me through the addresses I have given after this week. It for sure should not be sent through the Chadian address. If sent through the French Army address it should be sent air mail or else I’m afraid I will have left by the time it arrives. Thanks so much to all of those who have sent letters and packages. What a delight it is to receive them! And so I’ll leave you until next week. Keep persevering through that cold weather back in Manitoba, I’ll bring the sun home soon.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
teacher life and so much more
This was my original blog for this past week or more which I have not been able to send the last few days. Grab your cup of coffee, it’s a long one.
I think many of my blogs have lacked what I do on an everyday basis, that is teach. Teaching English has been interesting and a wonderful way to get to know Chadians. Much bonding occurs when you work together in learning to say words like teeth, month, and with. “Just stick your tongue out!”, I say and I have 5 of the reddest black faces you’ve ever seen. I’ve also been given some interesting homework. Two of my favourites have been, “A person with diarrhea must not stand.” and “The girl does not wear clothes to school.” Admittedly it was my face that was red when I had to explain the word diarrhea.
The boys have also been hard at work this week. I put a deadline on them and insisted we finish their grades (already late from last year) by the end of this week. On this glorious Saturday morning Isaac sits writing his last few tests. I can hear my mom saying, “Oh Vanessa, let them be.” Eventually there has to be an end! Anyways, we had a party yesterday to celebrate. It was fun for all of us to take a break. This also means I’m writing up my first report cards. It’s hard to do when you practically live with the people.
Blog Part 2: The security situation, the war or whatever it was.
Some of you may have no idea that life has become chaotic in parts of Chad and some may think I’m already dead from what you’ve seen. Well, I’m alive and well. Abeche has been untouched and life has been same as usual minus some communication problems (phone lines and networks down or unreliable). Unfortunately N’djamena, the capital city, cannot say the same. Almost all foreigners have been evacuated and at least 20 000 locals have left to nearby Cameroon claiming refugee status. Rebels attacked at the end of last week and the battle moved from outside the city to inside where tanks and heavy artillery were used. The real situation remains unclear but the rebels have left whether to reload, for good, or to wait on negotiations we’re not sure. At the moment we are staying put although we had planned to go to the far Eastern Chad of Adre this coming weekend. It seems the old cliché, “Better safe than sorry” is more relevant than ever.
We’ve had reports from N’djamena on WEC’s belongings and all Praise goes to God. We have one family who lives in N’djamena, who were evacuated, who’s home was untouched. This is amazing but even more remarkable since the homes around it were destroyed and it stands the tallest in it’s neighbourhood. Another amazing story is how the faithful guard at our compound, who had moved his family in to it for safety, was able to stop men who came to rob the house. Also the vehicle that was left outside when the family evacuated was left untouched. The window’s of the vehicles surrounding it were all cracked from the pressure of the artillery but our vehicle remained in tact. Alhumdillallah! (Hallelujah!)
European Union troops are set to move in soon. They’re not just moving in to Chad they are moving in across the street from us. The poor hyena I spoke of a few weeks ago will no longer have a home. The French Army was busy setting up camp for them today. Although they are not really coming in to settle Chadian political problems so much as to protect the Sudanese refugees and Aid Organizations as they travel across the country.
Please pray for Chad and it’s security situation that it may be remedied quickly. Also pray for our sensitivity to the people around us. Thank you for your prayers that you have already sent up on our behalf. He is all we can rely on in this life. Sorry this is a novel although I feel after the last week I could write an encyclopaedia.
God bless you all,
Vanessa
Just so you know that life really is normal here…
As we were asked to stay at home for a day or two we spent our time cutting each other’s hair, watching movies and eating grasshoppers. Yes, grasshoppers, and it was a missionary who gave them to me to eat not even a local! They really weren’t that bad in fact I liked them better than the madide (see last week’s blog).
I think many of my blogs have lacked what I do on an everyday basis, that is teach. Teaching English has been interesting and a wonderful way to get to know Chadians. Much bonding occurs when you work together in learning to say words like teeth, month, and with. “Just stick your tongue out!”, I say and I have 5 of the reddest black faces you’ve ever seen. I’ve also been given some interesting homework. Two of my favourites have been, “A person with diarrhea must not stand.” and “The girl does not wear clothes to school.” Admittedly it was my face that was red when I had to explain the word diarrhea.
The boys have also been hard at work this week. I put a deadline on them and insisted we finish their grades (already late from last year) by the end of this week. On this glorious Saturday morning Isaac sits writing his last few tests. I can hear my mom saying, “Oh Vanessa, let them be.” Eventually there has to be an end! Anyways, we had a party yesterday to celebrate. It was fun for all of us to take a break. This also means I’m writing up my first report cards. It’s hard to do when you practically live with the people.
Blog Part 2: The security situation, the war or whatever it was.
Some of you may have no idea that life has become chaotic in parts of Chad and some may think I’m already dead from what you’ve seen. Well, I’m alive and well. Abeche has been untouched and life has been same as usual minus some communication problems (phone lines and networks down or unreliable). Unfortunately N’djamena, the capital city, cannot say the same. Almost all foreigners have been evacuated and at least 20 000 locals have left to nearby Cameroon claiming refugee status. Rebels attacked at the end of last week and the battle moved from outside the city to inside where tanks and heavy artillery were used. The real situation remains unclear but the rebels have left whether to reload, for good, or to wait on negotiations we’re not sure. At the moment we are staying put although we had planned to go to the far Eastern Chad of Adre this coming weekend. It seems the old cliché, “Better safe than sorry” is more relevant than ever.
We’ve had reports from N’djamena on WEC’s belongings and all Praise goes to God. We have one family who lives in N’djamena, who were evacuated, who’s home was untouched. This is amazing but even more remarkable since the homes around it were destroyed and it stands the tallest in it’s neighbourhood. Another amazing story is how the faithful guard at our compound, who had moved his family in to it for safety, was able to stop men who came to rob the house. Also the vehicle that was left outside when the family evacuated was left untouched. The window’s of the vehicles surrounding it were all cracked from the pressure of the artillery but our vehicle remained in tact. Alhumdillallah! (Hallelujah!)
European Union troops are set to move in soon. They’re not just moving in to Chad they are moving in across the street from us. The poor hyena I spoke of a few weeks ago will no longer have a home. The French Army was busy setting up camp for them today. Although they are not really coming in to settle Chadian political problems so much as to protect the Sudanese refugees and Aid Organizations as they travel across the country.
Please pray for Chad and it’s security situation that it may be remedied quickly. Also pray for our sensitivity to the people around us. Thank you for your prayers that you have already sent up on our behalf. He is all we can rely on in this life. Sorry this is a novel although I feel after the last week I could write an encyclopaedia.
God bless you all,
Vanessa
Just so you know that life really is normal here…
As we were asked to stay at home for a day or two we spent our time cutting each other’s hair, watching movies and eating grasshoppers. Yes, grasshoppers, and it was a missionary who gave them to me to eat not even a local! They really weren’t that bad in fact I liked them better than the madide (see last week’s blog).
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