Updates

Dear all readers

I have changed and edited quite alot lately and decided to let you in on what is new here on my blog.

As the Sudanese Red Crescent Street Children Centre progresses more pictures and picasa web albums has been made. The picasa web albums can be found through the link with the same name under the picture "My face..." in the right side bar. Also the two picture slideshows in the sidebar are from these albums.

I have created my own youtube channel, which on its own is not very well built for now. But the different birthdays I have been missing out in while in field, has been greeted with short movieclips from Port Sudan city through this channel. And more clips and presentations of work are very likely to occur there as well. These clips are added to the embedded movies on top of the sidebar. The movies are from Port Sudan in the morning sunrise and evening sunset and gives a glimse of the city life from our rooftop. And so it could be interesting to watch not only for my close family and friends. :)

On top of my blog, under the title, are selected movies from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Youtube channel. It gives a good presentation on work as delegate and on projects to help vulnerable people across the world. Some are well known crisis and situations with the movies documenting the work to improve conditions. So visit the IFRC Youtube channel and get to know the work of 115 million volunteers with belonging staff all over the world.

So it is Our World, Your Move...

All the best

Thomas

Al Jazeera`s Listening Post video of the day: Here is something for campaigners and activists to admire

Here is Al-Jazeera`s Listening Post Facebook page...

Days of low energy

The last couple of days I have been thoroughly reminded that I am but humble mortal. All my energy has been completely vacant. I think my body is signaling the time for summer vacation. So to all you friends out there in beautiful summer Bergen I am coming home in mood for sun basking.

While I was at home doing virtually nothing I have added and updated my Picasa web albums to this blog. You can find them in the links on the sidebar. If you wonder how the street children centre look like you can watch the slideshow on the top right of this blog or go into Picasa through my link down by the Facebook links.

And do not worry, many more stories and experiences await before our time here in Sudan is over, so catch them by popping by on regular basis or join my followers for automatic updates.

All the best

Thomas

Todays joke

We are sitting in our office at the headquarters of Sudanese Red Crescent in Port Sudan city. And some volunteers are about to leave the office after meeting the volunteer coordinator Mahmoud, so i say: 

Me: "See you around!"

Volunteers: "What?"

Me:"You know one can say; See you. And one can also say; See you around. Like in around the place and here".

Mahmoud:[The volunteer coordinator looks at me with a big smile in his face and says:] "See you in line! Hehehehehehehehehehe".

Sometimes when I explain and get understood it feels really great and then these sort of jokes become hilarious. Hehe, I am getting local I think. 

Our status quo on monday 18.May

Time passes fast. We have 19 working days left now. The pressure is on at the same time as the feeling of a need for vacation is growing slowly stronger. The weather is bright blue (as always) and the heat and humidity is getting heavier. This means slow sauna type of pain for norwegians, normally. At the moment for us we are largely weather adapted and only feel agony when the sudanese them selves complain. In other words: "We will come home and freeze our assses of in the norwegian summer". 

The Street Children Centre is open in critical mode. We only provide breakfast, healthcare ones a week and clean water and soaps.  The kids are happy when at the centre and they thank us on regular basis. Three volunteers now take shifts at the centre, namely; Sadiq, Abeer and Ali Ushi. Us youth delegates are around and so is the volunteer coordinator Mahmoud Sharif.

In the picture you can see the centre from within and the children who clean and keep the centre themselves. But they have to be encouraged and someone have to stay with them at all times. The centre opens every day at 10am and closes at 2pm. The volunteers are now starting to register all the kids again and do follow up on what medical treatment they are on amongst other things. The centre has a highly insecure financial future still, but a private donor has come forth and offered 1/5 of needed funds for the critical basics. And this donor is working on finding others who could help him find the rest. Wish us luck.

Picture of Tokar city :p

This week we are going down the Red Sea coast to Tokar city. In this little rural agricultural city we will hang out with volunteers and keep a sexual health workshop. I will have a session on the movement, the values and the Red Cross mandate which is the Geneva Conventions and its protocols. We will stay in Tokar city for two days.

Next week I will hold a workshop on the Norwegian Red Cross Youth methods for teaching rules of war. 'This workshop will also cover the rules of war themselves. It will be a mix of so called participatory activities where the point is to get the participants to do the activities themselves, not just you standing infront a group lecturing. It works great in Norway, so wish me luck on my explanations here in Sudan :)

Picture: "After a hard days work"

Other than this we are now building Oslo presentations, picking out our best pictures to Norwegian Red Cross and prepare for home again. We also have alot of "afterwork" to do up to maximum one year after returning home. Five working weeks in total time has to be given to the afterwork.

I constantly deny begging people money and keep referring them to the Sudanese Red Crescent which I know do not have money to help them. If I gave them money the staff at our office described it like this: "If you give these people money there will be big mushkilla (problem)". For security reasons (not flash around money to become a target for beggers and thieves) my hands are tied. Yesterday this old nice man, clearly troubled asking for money, asked me for 30 pounds sudanese (12$) to take his wife to the doctor. I had to refer him to Sudanese Red Crescent and then he refused to follow me there. I suspect he had allready been turned down there. I have never felt so small and helpless in my life.

Stay well people and always look for the safe and genuin opportunity to help someone. I feel I have failed in that respect because one always thinks: "I can do more".

A famous Sudanese joke

Here is a famous Sudanese joke for you. The last time I heard it was tonight at the local coffee shop on the corner. And yes, this is one of those jokes nobody seems to go tired of except you. Enjoy...

There was a Sudanese boy who had a rather well situated family. His family and especially his carrier focused father wanted his son to have a solid education. So english language was a must to master. But unfortunately the son was quite bad in this particular class and consantly fell behind the rest of the class.

His father was deeply worried and thought some drastic meassures had to be done to get english into to this boys head. In the area there was foreigner who spoke excellent english so he would have to help his son. 

The father entered negotiations with the foreigner. And the result was an agreement where the two, his son and the foreigner, were to be locked into the boys house for three months. Provided that the foreigner got well paid salary and all the supplies needed to live there with out leaving. The agreement was agreed and so it happened. A part of the deal was also that noone would disturb the two in these three months. Just leave the supplies at the door and go away.

So after three months the father was anxious to speak to his son in english. So when the two came out of the house the whole family waited in anticipation.

The foreigner came out and spoke fluent arabic and the boy still did not know a word of english.

Hehe. Those hardheaded Sudanese. Cheers... 

Happy Birthday, Alex!

Check out the video from Port Sudan and me at top of the sidebar...

Our flat

We live in a quite nice flat after we moved from the first one 1. april. So this is our place until the mission  is complete...

Our building from ground and main entrance. Looks nice and simple

Our house has a very good standard and it was significantly cheaper than the previous place

The place is just built which is great, but the downside is no generator temporarily. So WHEN, not if, the power cuts we are left to the heat.

At the moment it is about 35 degrees. But that goes to 40-45degrees on a hot day. The house feels like a sauna, without power. And I would literally sweath as if in a sauna. To sleep is more like swimming in bed. So this causes problems for work efficiancy some days.

Lower down you can see my bedroom with the mosquito net on alert. I hate sleeping with buzzing around my head. So I am addicted to mosquito net. There is not much Malaria or Dengue Fever in this region, so if I did not mind the stings and itch, one can sleep without the net.

"Knock some wood..."

The two last pictures is the view from my bedroom window and the last picture is the view from the roof in the direction of the sunset.

So now you have seen our "base". In only four weeks we are finished here and head for home.

See you soon my fellow Red Cross`ers, friends and family :)

Flu and me

I have got flu. And usually; who cares! But now it is quite a manic different story. The media is all over "swineflu" and the world shivers. I have currently now more a cold than flu. Difference is a standing Thomas not laying. I feel I have to say: "Knock some wood!" But seriuosly a cold like this in Norway wouldn`t be recognized enough to stay home from work even. But I guess if I went back to Norway now I would be put in quarantine. 

So now I am confined to home for a couple of days and enjoy the sunset. Sommer is coming in Norway now isn`t it? I feel like I have had summer in a whole year straight now. Good luck with all your exams and work deadlines, good people. There is four weeks left of our mission now and I feel the pressure for a best possible ending of tasks. Let us hope what we have done has made an impact and is carried on by the volunteers here in Sudanese Red Crescent. The work done and maybe the final presentation video will be published here, I think. :)

Until later; See ya.

Thomas

To be as neutral, or not to be?

In the last year, as long as I have been in the field here in Sudan for the Red Cross, there has been a huge debate on why a humanitarian organisation tries to be neutral where they do their work. The critics I have picked up on could be summarized like this: “They try to be neutral to all the politics and all the different interests of many different people in a region or a country. When we get to know somebody it is pretty hard to not side in anyway with anyone. This seems impossible. Besides, a humanitarian organisation wants to protect the people they want to help, so they have to choose side with them. Then why and how can they claim to be neutral?”

The arguments for and against neutrality and what is called a “humanitarian space” in the society is many and varies according to exemplified situations. But resent developments in The Sudan give a very strong example on why being clearly neutral might matter more than we think. Here is the case:

On the 4.march 2009 the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague announced it indicts President Omar Al-Bashir of Sudan with five acts of Crimes against humanity and two acts of War crimes. Moments after the ICC made their official decision the government of Sudan expelled 13 International nongovernmental organisations (INGOs) and shut down three national nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). They were all humanitarian organisations which the government accused of breaching their humanitarian mandate by, allegedly, aiding the ICC with information.

Whether the organisations did or did not breach their mandate is still disputed, but according to the Sudanese government there is evidence against the organisations that made the government react. The delegates of these organisations has denied any “double agenda” and reacted with frustration not to be able to do their humanitarian work anymore among the poor population in The Sudan.

In the dispute between these parties it is fair to say that the evicted organisations failed to gain or maintain the trust of the Sudanese government. Sudanese government is at the same time accused of refusing/ stalling aid to regions and population groups they wish to control (Alex de Waal 2008). Rightfully or wrongfully accusations of humanitarian organisations is in the final moment up to the hosting state to act on or not act on. In the bottom line the Republic of Sudan no longer wants these organisations help on the humanitarian challenges. Maybe, or in this case clearly, despite the need for humanitarian assistance in the general population. This is especially in Darfur according to the UN.  

A significant organisation in field here in The Sudan (the organisation requested to remain anonymous because of the current disputes) who had close partners evicted, even though all confirm to have the strictest policy on full transparency and follow laws and regulations to the letter, says:

“Neutrality as a concept is no longer fully understood and to make partners and authorities fully understand our purpose it is now, more than ever, vital to be completely transparent in everything we do. It is of vital importance to prove that there is no hidden agenda by sharing every single piece of information which isn't contained in the medical secrecy charter linking the patient and his practitioner exclusively. If you have nothing to hide you can show all your cards.'' 

And by showing all your cards, you have a role to play on the side of any ongoing conflict and can demand full neutrality status in all hostilities. This last point makes field delegates safe, when the rules are upheld by all parties to the conflict, and grants a humanitarian space for the organisations to assist the vulnerable people.

Also in order for the national states to be able to follow the International Humanitarian Law and its four Geneva Conventions the state is obliged to give room for humanitarian assistance, from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), during any armed conflicts on its territory. All the states in the world have ratified (signed) the four Geneva Conventions of 1949.

 So it is evident that taking any side with any part, other than insisting on aiding and protecting the vulnerable people on only medical and humanitarian priorities, would easily put your work and sometimes, your life in danger. And further the huge importance to allow the authorities to look into every single thing you do, so that there is no room for distrust, suspicion and/ or false accusations. So sometimes this is not even enough to avoid trouble with the parties to the conflict. Further this shows giving into pressure to take side in the conflict would make such problems very likely to develop. The importance of neutrality becomes clear and there needs to be a fully accepted undisputed humanitarian space in every society where suffering people can survive and maintain their human dignity, regardless of all other conditions. And this humanitarian space in society is operated by the different neutral organisations specialized in their field within humanitarian aid. 

The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement have neutrality as one of its seven fundamental principles and have defined neutrality as follows:

Neutrality
“In order to continue to enjoy the confidence of all,
the Movement may not take sides in hostilities or
engage at any time in controversies of a political,
racial, religious or ideological nature”

Because of the role Red Cross, Red Crescent and Red Crystal has, as an example, it not only gains access to all conflicted areas in the world, but also gains access to all the worlds prisons and camps. Without neutrality this organization would not be allowed in. To me personally this come down to a simple question of motivation; are we here to help or take part in the conflict? There are no both in this sense. Do you see the importance of neutrality?

More news on Sudan and the ongoing Darfur conflict and Mia Farrows hunger strike (Norwegian newspaper):     VG     VG     VG     VG

Anines memories of the last week

Anine, my colleague, has written all her last experiences on her blog for the last week. Her story carries a extraordinary message and a powerful experience.

Our experiences with reopening the street children centre has been a reality smack in the face and we are doing our best efforts to keep the centre. 

Follow this blog and Anines to get the story as it is made.... 

My last blog on the street children centre is named "We are failing to maintain our mandate" and it is found lower on this page.

All the best 

Thomas

The beautiful sunset from from our house...

En ny dag med blanke ark og fargestifter til

Today is a new day after I realized how culture shocked I am. Culture shock is contrary to its name because it sneaks up on you over weeks and months by building your stresslevel slowly up up up. So it usually does not come as a shock. It works as a reaction to a different environment adaptation process. Or as I would word it: Your body refusing to deal with everything and setting up mental defence in curtain areas. Demanding time to grasp it all, meanwhile acting all confused.

Classic symptoms of longterm untreated culture shock is: Sleepiness, apathy, compulsive eating and drinking, depression and isolation.

I am extremely sleepy these last two months, slightly apathic when it comes to the dying people around me at the underfunded hospital (I mean WHAT CAN I DO!?), I eat chocolate and easy or lacy food all day when I am not working, I sometimes feel like staying home and avoid going out (not to much though, I still really enjoy getting out of the house) and logically after my realtionship breakdown the last month I have been small time depressed and sad (Most likely it is more sadness than depression and I just feel it stronger now while it is passing through my system).

Realizing what is the reason for your feelings and reactions, and therefore knowing what you are going through and why it is hard, is in it self calming and some stress dies down. That is why I feel a new day today. In the time ahead my own treatment is guitarhero at a friends house, beer with the chinese, following through the workplan to help people and keep reading and asking questions to understand more of the situation and culture I am in at the moment (This last one is essential because mental orientation/ understanding of your environment gives "standing ground" for your mind to navigate from. For example if you know why the people is sooo slow when they plan to do something about a problem, you won`t annoy yourself as much and focus more on how to speed things up in the local settings) And you would think after 7 months I would have a good idea about the whole setting here now, but no. Sudan is infinately complicated for someone so outside as Norway. And it would take me another year at least before I would have a more comprehensive understanding of the culture and political progress.

I hope, by sharing this most intimate thoughts with you, I give you some perspective on culture shock and how you can avoid it when far away from home or some wierd place close to home. Hehe (Culture shock is not limited to international travel. For example it also sometimes occure when we move within our own country and region). Awarness makes me able to act and change the reasons for my feelings. Right now I am enjoying a book on Sudan with an italian cup of coffee under the blue sunny sky by palms and the Red Sea, remembering how much I looked forward to come here.

Picture: From our Red Cross briefing in Norway days before we left for fieldwork. This is a method of learning using drama, where I am acting a superhero in efficiency and coffee was like Poppeys spinnache. We were 16 youth delegates all in all here who could not wait to go into our designated fields.

Good luck in your work everybody

Thomas