6/22
A lot has happened in the last week. Last Monday (6/15) two Chadian police centers were attacked by suicide bombers. In response to the attacks, the country has now banned the wearing of Burqas. Personally, I’m still trying to figure out the connection between the two, but perhaps that just goes to show how little I understand about politics. If you want to know more, a simple google news search of “N’Djamena, Chad” will bring you to some relevant articles. **no MCC workers or MCC partners were injured or had immediate family members injured in the attacks** It’s sad to me not only that things like this happen in the world, but that the media chooses not to make such occurrences known. In the same week that these attacks took place, another horrible event happened in South Carolina, where a gunman took the lives of 9 innocent people worshipping in a church. The news of that horrible act made it to euronews TV as well as local Chadian radio. I don’t mean to take away from the depth of that tragedy in any way, but I feel it’s worth pointing out that more than 3 times as many people died in the attacks here and yet finding a comprehensive account of the events means doing a very specific search, something most people won’t do even after reading this post. I admit I probably wouldn’t if I weren’t living here.
But right now I am living here, and as a result of the unrest, I’ve spent little to no time in town lately. I have pretty much stayed home except for a trip to Mark’s house and one to the MCC office, both times taking care to avoid the busiest parts of town. Part of me is going a little stir crazy, but I know I should be thankful that I have a home to stay in, that no one I know what harmed by the attacks, and that I myself am also safe. But that doesn’t mean I’m thrilled with the extra caution I’m needing to take for my last few weeks here.
Two end on a less depressing note, one perk of being home so much is that I’ve gotten to spend lots of time with my host family and whatever neighbors wander through the gate. I’ve started a silly little routine of passing notes with one neighbor in particular. Her name is Gloria, and I heard her teaching a little English to the younger girls she was with when she came to get water from our yard. I applauded her efforts and she blushed and giggled. The next time she came, one of the little girls came into my room and handed me a note reading “Hello, my sister. How are you? My name is Gloria.” All in English! We’ve been passing notes in the evenings regularly now, and I’ve learned little tidbits about her, like how she wants to be a pastor some day (a bold goal in this patriarchal society!). Still, when I try to speak with her she is shy, but the notes have been a fun way of getting to know a neighbor here!
A lot has happened in the last week. Last Monday (6/15) two Chadian police centers were attacked by suicide bombers. In response to the attacks, the country has now banned the wearing of Burqas. Personally, I’m still trying to figure out the connection between the two, but perhaps that just goes to show how little I understand about politics. If you want to know more, a simple google news search of “N’Djamena, Chad” will bring you to some relevant articles. **no MCC workers or MCC partners were injured or had immediate family members injured in the attacks** It’s sad to me not only that things like this happen in the world, but that the media chooses not to make such occurrences known. In the same week that these attacks took place, another horrible event happened in South Carolina, where a gunman took the lives of 9 innocent people worshipping in a church. The news of that horrible act made it to euronews TV as well as local Chadian radio. I don’t mean to take away from the depth of that tragedy in any way, but I feel it’s worth pointing out that more than 3 times as many people died in the attacks here and yet finding a comprehensive account of the events means doing a very specific search, something most people won’t do even after reading this post. I admit I probably wouldn’t if I weren’t living here.
But right now I am living here, and as a result of the unrest, I’ve spent little to no time in town lately. I have pretty much stayed home except for a trip to Mark’s house and one to the MCC office, both times taking care to avoid the busiest parts of town. Part of me is going a little stir crazy, but I know I should be thankful that I have a home to stay in, that no one I know what harmed by the attacks, and that I myself am also safe. But that doesn’t mean I’m thrilled with the extra caution I’m needing to take for my last few weeks here.
Two end on a less depressing note, one perk of being home so much is that I’ve gotten to spend lots of time with my host family and whatever neighbors wander through the gate. I’ve started a silly little routine of passing notes with one neighbor in particular. Her name is Gloria, and I heard her teaching a little English to the younger girls she was with when she came to get water from our yard. I applauded her efforts and she blushed and giggled. The next time she came, one of the little girls came into my room and handed me a note reading “Hello, my sister. How are you? My name is Gloria.” All in English! We’ve been passing notes in the evenings regularly now, and I’ve learned little tidbits about her, like how she wants to be a pastor some day (a bold goal in this patriarchal society!). Still, when I try to speak with her she is shy, but the notes have been a fun way of getting to know a neighbor here!