The laughter emerging from the back porch was continuous. And loud. Raucous even. Strands of conversation in different voices bounced off the screens and escaped on the cool breeze snaking its way between the mesh – keeping us cool. The “us” was me, BushDiva, Wry-ly, Emme, and Benin*. Emme is an IFESH scholar working in […]
“I think I’m gonna like it here…I’m very very glad to volunteer…” Ok… so things are definitely looking up here. Meeting and hanging with LA (aka Gutz) has been a source of both entertainment and networking. He has gotten in the habit of introducing me and BushDiva to everyone he knows as his colleagues or […]
There was still no water today. The electricity flickered on for about seven minutes – just long enough to heat water for some paste tasting oatmeal – but that is little solace against the absence of water. I need to wash my hair. I really really need to wash my hair. Desperation is setting in […]
After dinner BushDiva got the bright idea that was should crash the reception. By that point we had eaten and we were fairly certain the food had been served there, so Fancy called around to make sure it was ok and we were invited to join. Of course by that point, the party was winding […]
It was about 2:15 as we stepped into our front yard – just enough time to see the wedding processional lurch slowly through the rutted street toward the church/outpatient department of the hospital. By our estimations we were right on time. We headed single file in the same direction, taking the pedestrian path that flanks […]
I sat on the front steps this evening, watching the sky flash purple streaks in the cloudy distance. As the night threatened rain that never arrived, I felt the slight stir of a breeze carrying the cacophonous music of crickets, frogs, or whatever animals live in the moist darkness of a Liberian November. Two men […]
Where can I even begin on this? I didn’t pack many clothes. I was told before-hand that I could get stuff made and I was ecstatic. Some simple skirts and shirts would serve me well and would also provide some souvenirs upon my return home. So into Gbarnga to buy lapas (colorful cloths) and then […]
I get around on foot a lot here. There is really no reason not to, this place isn’t especially huge. And the portion of it that I deal with, the hospital compound, the university up the road, is all reachable by foot. Sometimes the trail is obscured by lakes of water pooled at the foot […]
I showered with Fred tonight. At least I think that is his name. He didn’t tell me otherwise as I urged him to stay on his side of the stained tub. He complied and clung to the whitish tile, close to the window, and didn’t say much that I could hear. Normally I shower with […]
donor pendulum
The delicate balance between need and dependency is a pendulum that easily swings too far in one direction. Helping people pull themselves from the ravages of war, starvation, and poverty does not lend itself to platitudes about God helping those who help themselves. Babies die. Men are broken. Women weep…and in those moments they cannot […]
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