Liberia 2013

Fast, Furious, Fun, Fantastic,

carriel — Sun, 21 Jul 2013 08:49:00 GMT

Sorry it's been so long

John Falco, Christine Russell and I hit the ground running upon arrival into Monrovia, Liberia on 12 JUL.

Mix up with lodging and car/driver notwithstanding, this has been an amazing trip so far.

Started out with the mundane task of sorting boxes of items donatied and purchased to support our work throuh EHELD (Excellence in Higher Education for Liberian Development) at the USAID/EHELD offices in Sinkor, Liberia.

It's rainy season, so mostly early morning dramatic thunder storms and torrentilal dumping of steamy rain. I'm detoxifying, I think, from all the "glowing" I've been doing (you youngsters..go look that up!).

Monday (15 JUL) I spent teaching a workshop in self-care/professiona development for the wonderful counselors and psychemotoinal counselors at the Lutheran Church in Liberia headquarters. All were very engaged. This group had such wisdom, such heart, such insight...it was gratifying to be so completely welcomed into a community and culture that is "foreign." It is true that we are far more alike that we are different.

Food is amazing...rice, greens, and fish/chicken. And HOT! I am definietly not a whimp any longer.

Tuesay found us at a rabies vaccine clinic our friends in Liberia (Helen Roberts and Pedelers Craig) had arranged in New Kru town. LOTS of rain. DEEP potholes and puddles. A damp, close mix of wet Liberian dog, children, young adults and a few adults...all anxious for their dogs to be vaccinated. In vaccinating the dogs, we hope the people will not die of rabies.

So, a little excitement when I was bitten (very superficially) by a dog. Really? Never happens at home....

So, "rule" was if anyone on team is bitten, they have to leave and take first flight out so they can get post-exposure rabies vaccine within 24 hours. Many of you know I don't believe in coincidence. As it happends, I learned earlier in that day that human rabies was available.

When we reached vaccine site, I went to grab vaccine only to find that we had been given human vaccine instead of rabies. SO, had to stall the gathered crowd of dog owners and have some of team return to JFK Hospital to swap out for the dog vaccine. When bitten later, would have never known to ask about receiving the human rabies needed for the dog bite EXCEPT that I had seen the vaccine earlier. So, our new friend Jackson at JFK (medical division..he oversees storage of vaccine) work with Pedelers Craig (on or our in country BFFs) to line up the first dose.

I have to say these people are amazing. Got permission from the Vets Without Borders CEO to make decisions on my own regarding whether to return home or not. No need, as was able to receive treatment in Duport.

Wednesday 17 JUL we spent the day at Rock Hill working with women in the community on trauma healing and self-care. All of us (John, Christing, Thomas Smith..new driver...and Craig were all so generously welcomed. Many stories of war trauma, displacement into refugee camps, internal displacement, poverty, loss, trauma. And yet, these are powerful women. Each is radiant, powerful, perseistent, loving...the list goes on. It was an honor to share a space and time with them.

Song, dance, celebration. Such richness of voice and expression. This West African music sings to my heart and fills me with such immense joy. It is a gift to be in circle with these women and hear their lovely voices.

When we were done, the women decided to give me a Bassa name. "Saila." It means "stay here." After our lunch of rice, fish, pepper sauce and greens, we held another rabies vaccine clinic.

Finally, took a tour or Rock Hill. No safe drinking water except in one remote location. People live by chipping rock off of boulders or larger rocks to make various sized smaller rocks. Small children and adults alike (especially women) chipping at the rock with no eye protection. Carrying the boxes of rocks on their heads to deposit ihem in piles closer to the road the trucks can traverse to pick up. It is quite an experience.

...there is such poverty here, and yet there is such hope, so much wisdom and insight and passion for making things better for Liberian citizens. It was a privelege to be able to walk in these places and see what daily life is like.

Some photos to show our story are included here. So mich more, but sleepy now so will finish more later.

Let's just say it gets better every day...cant' beliee I'm here. Can't believe how much I'm loving this. Can't believe what an AMAZING team we have from VWB. Can't belive how well we work together with Craig and Thomas. We drive along, rocking out to W. Africa music. "I LOVE TO DANCE" is appreciated and accpeted here. In some ways, I feel more at home here than I do in WA state.

There is usually a "honeymoon"phase when all of this work is bright, shiny, new. Time here may alter my view, but so far, those Liberians I have met have been the kindest, warmest, most welcoming.

Made it. I'm in love.

carriel — Sat, 13 Jul 2013 11:53:00 GMT

After some nearly comical aeronautical electrical problems, we departed JFK 1.5 hour late. More comical electical problems in Accra, but ultimately made it to Monrovia only 1.5 hours later than expected.

The flight was great! Slept a bit, and had very good company of a young gentleman (Abdullah Nasser) who was returning to Liberia to live an help with the family businesses. He left in 2002, just 1 year before the second civil war ended, and graduated with a degree in informationa managment from Wayne State Univ. in MI? I think that's what he said...

Also, met three guys from MI who are going to an underserved area of Liberia (Fishtown) to look into building a middle school. Interensting connetion to aquaculture (shrimp and talapia perhaps), and as it happens, I know someone! AND, they are looking for a 4-H exchange student to come to the U.S. and I am supposed to be meeting with someone about a 4-H program in Liberia, so...match made in heaven maybe! AND one of the guys is an ex-science teacher and may have some lab supplies to donate. So, we'll see. So many folks trying to help. Gratifying.

Still a few snafus...yes...'nuf said there. I may have dreadlocks when I come home. Short ones, but dreds nonetheless.

Oh! Wait!!! The best part! Finally, finally met Festus and Pedelers. Such incredibly nice and kind young men. We are in the best of hands.

I cannot believe I am here. I cannot believe my good fortune. I cannot believe the warmth and kindness of the Liberians (including a young man who grabbed my small carryon as we were deplaning and going down a set of stairs...carried it for me...wow).

I've only been here a day. I will whine about the shower that merely trickles. But I will likely wax on and on about Festus and Pedelers, and probably Abel and Yark and Mardea...the list goes on. Such warm, lovely, honest people. The feel like family. It was worth the long trip and months of preparation just to meet them.

Off to zzzzzzland. Early day (with dirty, damp hair no doubt). Don't expect pictures of me...no way to look even remotely cute right now The REST of the team is a different story. They look great!!

Nighty night!

Starting out

carriel — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 01:48:00 GMT

My brother, Rocky, is an intrepid world traveler. He has given me some sage advice regarding traveling (some of which I forgot to do...hopefully can still do by internet...oops!).

So, this first entry is dedicated to him:

Rocky, you would be so proud! I am, in fact, STILL a packing goddess. Vaccine with attendent cold packs, supplies and medications for various clinics in Liberia, 250 Clif Bars (generously donated by said company), permetrhin impregnated clothing, yoga mat, Panama hat (from trip to Merida in 1982'ish?), and just enough clothes. And yes, fit it all in to 2 bags...49# and 50# respectively.

Sadly, one bag will either not come back, or will return quite bereft of contents. Most of what I'm taking will stay in Liberia...cargo pants, SPF shirts, socks, rain jacket, shoes, Clif bars (wonder if folks in Liberia will find them at all tasty).

SO, little bro, I have learned much from you through listening to your exploits through the years. Bet you never thought I'd go from zero to sixty like this with regard to the international travel. Seems that all it took was a lot of years of study and a big, big dream.

I will be in very good hands in Liberia. To a number, everyone I've met there so far has been kind, generous, accommdating, helpful...not enough compliments to convey my gratitude.

Oops! Boarding now! Gotta run!

Thank you to all of you who have loved me, supported my work and dreams. I will carry you with me, and bore you all with stories and pictures upon my return. You have been duly warned!