In the old days it was the men who walked in the front with spears and arrows in their hands to confront anything that came on their way. In this poem it is vice versa. Women took the lead to let men walk behind. Kathleen and Judith are two ladies who visited Somalia to conduct Audit and Evaluation activities on projects run by EU/CARE in partnership with Somali NGO's. Being the chairman of Somali NGO Community Concern Somalia (CCS),I was moved by the courage of these ladies to come and undertake an assignment in remote villages in the bush amid insecurity and widespead unrest in the country. They excelled in areas largely considered as a male domain. No matter what marks they give to CCS, they deserve my respect and admiration. Although i mentioned only Kathleen, the poem goes to both ladies. Judith, the Audit is a Kenyan while Kathleen, the Evaluator is a Canadian. both are based in Nairobi.
At 5:00, Kathleen was already half awake
But "Sleep" didn't want to set her free
Like a child on his mother's apron
it clung on the curtains of her nerve walls
Kathleen struggled to beat the rival
She turned and made a final stretch
Like soldiers in their morning line up
she found all her senses ready and alert
Kathleen was now fully awake
The soothing rays of the
morning sun touched her soul.
They inspired and uplifted her spirit
Travel to Somalia was drawing closer
the thought of it heralded big anxiety
At her Office, Kathleen checked internet
what Google showed was quite terrible
Killings
Kidnappings
Rape
shootings
poor roads
bad food
Impasse and ever so deepening crisis
On the other page of the search engine
Kathleen saw the other side of the story
Somalia needs much help
NGO's Get back soon to Somalia
There is Crop failure
There is Drought
There is famine
There is malnutrition
Limited Expat presence
High mortality rate
Evaluation top priority
No evaluation means
no more releases
Whether to go or stay was now on the balance
Her moral conscience was on one side
Her personal safety was on the other
At that point, Kathleen stood up
She walked to the direction of the window
She talked in silence with her feelings
Kathleen then started to say:
"If I go many projects will be evaluated
If I go, many doubts will be removed
If I go,Many Expats will be deployed
If I go, many confidence will be built
If I go, many donors will show interest
If I go, many partners will be created
If I go, many people will be reached
If I go, many children will go to school
It is risky, though, to go this time
But the risk is worth taking
It is the wish of my heart
to open windows of hope
AAH..I should go to Somalia
I should go now"
Bravo on all accounts, Abdi-Noor. It is wonderful to hear of such inspirational lives being worked out largely unseen but paving the way for untold harvests. May God grant success to all such efforts to bring measures of peace and hope to the world's desperate peoples; and may more be prepared to jeopardise personal security to bring comfort and relief to others. If we each do what only we can in our own little corners, I am sure the world would start to change and "universal vlaues" based on personal success would be turned upside-down. Thank you for your illuminating writing and consciousness-raising, here. Kate x
Where would we all be if none answered the call to go? A poignant piece abdi-noor. I am touched as always. PEACE AND BLESSIINGS are wished for you and yours and your countrymen. <HUGS>>marion
These timeless quotations culled from the celebrated corpus of writings by W.E.B. Du Bois are presented with illuminating introductory essays by Aberjhani. Narration of the Audible book performed by Catherine Byers.
When two men hit the reset button and decide to go out looking for the good in the world, they not only find it but also a lot more.
P.S. The title is listed on Amazon under Look for Something Good by Robert Drews (not by Robert H. Drews)
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an amazingly described, painfully told write of heartbreak and courage
(((HUGS))) and love, dear (((brother))), continued prayers, karla. :(
Two brave and wonderful women, who are examples
to follow! My prayers are with you all!