Out and About Africa

Yesterday was one of those great days out in the field that I rarely get to experience and yet thoroughly enjoy when I get to do them. While some of you may think that being in Sudan means I’m living it up with ‘the people’, that is definitely far from the truth. My buddy, Scott, who actually spends 75% of his time living in villages, is fluent in the local language and has been offered multiple brides is the one really living with ‘the people.’ What I do is basically push all the chips along from the office side to make sure that things actually get done, money and logistical needs for activities requested, processed and delivered, reports written to donors, collaborating with other agencies to figure out how to work today. So for the most part I’m kind of out of touch, although being in Kapoeta*, versus Juba, means that I’m still in more contact with the communities that we work with.

I was able to get away from the computer and office and even Kapoeta and head out to Isoke (pronounced almost like ‘it’s ok’ minus the t) live out my very mini fantasy of living in the field, being disconnected from it all, living with ‘the people’ and just being outside in the fresh air more. It reminds me that while I love city life and all the great things that it has to offer, I am definitely looking forward to the living in the country, few neighbors around, planting a little garden, a 30-40 minute drive into the city, maybe writing a book, going for walks, raising a Brangelina style herd of children, lifestyle that I fantasize about.

Anyway…here are some highlights from my trip:

I loved this little girl with her plate and bowl on her head. At no more than 4 or 5 years old, she is already an expert on maximizing the head to carry heavy loads!

This pregnant lady also struck me in her dress. She was surrounded by other people and I was motioning that I liked her dress. I started walking away and then turned around and got someone to translate if I could take a picture. I'm glad I did!

I also loved this group of women in all their colorful, mismatched outfits, plus the combination of modern and traditional styles. They were all waiting for seeds-for-work distribution by another agency.

Through the help of another agency, the community has worked really hard to use the water falls in the mountain above their town to provided piped water throughout the community. Here is a picture of one of the taps. It is so cool hearing how their got everything working over the years because they are so proud of what they have done...as they should be!

*I've been in Kapoeta for a few days and will be heading back to Juba sometime this week.