Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Desperate measures...

I walked into a doctor's office this afternoon to get a document signed. Since the doctor was examining a patient, I waited at the door and observed. The infant I saw on the examination couch was picture perfect: besides a skin rash, the child was beautiful. I talked to the lady standing beside me; she was the child's aunt. I commented on how well the baby looked. She smiled and said her sister is the child's mom. Moments later the nurses in the offices were talking to the mother, saying she is a witch. I was somewhat shocked; although it's not the first time I have heard someone referred to as a witch. I assumed she must have done something wrong and the nurses were not pleased with her parenting skills.

After a few minutes, the doctor completed his examination and motioned for me to come. We talked briefly and he then proceeded to sign the document I brought in. While he was signing, I watched the baby again. He really was perfect and I could not help but think of the life he will have ahead of him. As I looked over at the mom, who was now sitting a few feet away from me, I saw that she was handcuffed. I then realized that the policewoman who was sitting in the back of the room, was actually the one who bought the child in. There was much more going on here than I expected. I quickly learned that the mother attempted to kill her son. I know understood why the nurses were speaking badly of her.

I couldn’t help but feel sorry for the mother and wonder what on earth would lead her to try and suffocate her child. What would cause someone to go to such desperate measures? I wanted to ask her what was wrong and find out what is going on in her mind? But I couldn’t. It wasn’t appropriate. I felt sorry for the child too of course, and relieved to think that his life was saved and that hopefully that he will have a bright future. Unfortunately his aunty is young and cannot take care of him and so I hope his grandmother can. Meanwhile, I am thinking of his mom. She must be hurting. There is no way someone would try to kill her child without being desperate for help. I actually just wanted to go over and give her a hug. I’m hoping that she will realize that what she has done is wrong but at the same time that someone will reach out to her and give her hope.

Friday, January 27, 2012

Cleaners strike, trip to Bailor and more...

I'll be sure to write more soon. I realize I have not blogged in quite a while. It's been busy with new colleagues, handing over a number of my responsibilities, etc. That and no internet at home means that blogging does not happen much.


Come back soon to read about what happens when cleaners decide to strike and how a trip to Namina's village turned into a big outing for the children and more.

Tuesday, January 03, 2012

New Year's resolutions...

"A New Year's resolution is a commitment a person makes to one or more lasting personal goals, projects, or the reforming of a habit.This goal must be reached by the next New Year. Keep in mind that this is a goal, not a wish and should be something that you as a person could strive for." (Wikipedia)

I tell myself on December 31st that I don't make New Year's resolutions because I know I'll never stick to them anyway. However, I think secretly, in my mind, I do make some resolutions. They're not huge milestones or significant changes, but things I would like to improve and change slowly over time. Or maybe things I want to focus on a bit more, and be more aware of. Really, they are things that I should be working on for a lifetime.

Here are some of the things I came up with:

  • Focus more on the positive
  • When frustrated, try to figure out how to use the moment to bring about something good
  • Walk with more humility
  • Be a better listener
  • Try to be more understanding
  • Be more considerate
  • Love life and all it brings my way
Those aren't really resolutions in my book. They are things I should be working on all the time, and things that I'll never quite accomplish this year. I'll confess though that I do have one or two true resolutions now that I think of it, but to be honest, I thought of these a few months ago - before New Year - and that is to learn a little bit of some of the local languages like Temne and Fula and to push myself a bit more academically. We'll see!

~ Act Justly. Love Mercy. Walk Humbly. micah 6:8 ~