"I haven't finished calling your name..."
Kim, Kim, Kim, I haven't finished calling your name," she sobbed into my shoulder as we sat together on the cement floor of my home. This is the lamentation that cut through me, heart and soul. Naomi is my closest friend in Bèrè and was devastated by the news. She broke our embrace to pull both of my girls onto her lap crying "my girls, my girls!" She is a single mom of 5 boys and we often joked of swapping one or two. Emmie and Grace adore her and Mason would tease, if I ever succumbed to malaria she would be their new mom and they always happily agreed. Her children were my children and mine were hers.
The gathering of women surrounding us expressed their emotions as well, in tears, moans and desperate cries. "How will we care for our children? What will we do? Why? Please do not forget us..." People were streaming into our home as the news spread that the entire mission team was given notice of evacuation. The scene closely resembled a Tchadian wake, as new mourners arrived, others moved out onto the porch to rest on mats while they continued to grieve. It is always a fervent and palpable experience.
Those closest to us stayed all day. I can't count the number of cups of tea I served with the help of my girls and Nicolas who ensured there was enough sugar in each pot.
We always knew we would say goodbye one day... But not this moment, not this manner, not this fast. I am still grief stricken as I write this with tears streaming down my face. Goodbyes are never easy but those that come with the knowledge you will likely not see them again while on this earth are heart wrenching and extremely difficult.
Pray for the people of Tchad who suffer daily in extreme hardship and poverty. Please pray for Naomi, Celine and Babey, all single moms whose names I will not call again in this life. Looking forward to our reunion. Until we meet again... I shall not forget you.
-Kim
Saturday, October 17, 2015
Welcome "home" 16 Sept 2015
Welcome "home"?
Though we don't actually know where to call home anymore, its great to be in Asheville, NC.
Chad, Africa to Asheville:
One muddy rainy truck ride, a bus ride, 2 taxi rides, 3 airplanes, and finally into the van... We have arrived.
Bent but not completely broken.
Though we don't actually know where to call home anymore, its great to be in Asheville, NC.
Chad, Africa to Asheville:
One muddy rainy truck ride, a bus ride, 2 taxi rides, 3 airplanes, and finally into the van... We have arrived.
Bent but not completely broken.
12 Sept 2015 Evacuation?
Due to a recommendation by the US Dept of State, we are leaving Chad.
Not sure what is happening but the only good exit is through the capital N'Djamena so we are taking it seriously. Our flight will be Tuesday night :-(
Please pray for Chad and the work that is ongoing here. Our departure is sooner than we had planned :-(
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Chad and recommends that U.S. citizens currently in Chad depart as soon as it is feasible to do so. As a result of the deteriorating security situation, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of dependents of U.S. government personnel and non-emergency U.S. government personnel from N’Djamena on September 11, 2015. Consequently, the U.S. Embassy is able to provide only very limited emergency services to U.S. citizens in Chad. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued on February 26, 2015.
The ability of the U.S. Embassy to provide consular services in remote and rural areas is extremely limited. U.S. citizens should take steps to mitigate the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime, and maintain caution at public gathering spaces and locations frequented by foreigners, including markets, restaurants, bars, and places of worship.
The Government of Chad requires all individuals traveling to or residing in areas hosting refugee populations in Chad to obtain movement permits (“autorisation de circuler”) from the Ministry of Interior and Public Security in N'Djamena. All U.S. citizens affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts in eastern Chad should have an evacuation plan developed with the United Nations agency coordinating their work. In addition, U.S. citizens are strongly urged to adhere closely to the policies and procedures of their host organizations to mitigate risks of becoming the victim of violent crime. All U.S. citizens should prepare personal evacuation or safe-haven plans and be prepared to implement those plans on short notice. U.S. citizens intending to enter Cameroon, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, or Sudan from Chad should consult the Department's Travel Warnings for those countries and obtain any requisite visas or travel permits prior to traveling.
The Government of Chad has limited means to guarantee the safety of visitors in rural Chad. Incidents of robbery, carjacking at gunpoint, and murder have been reported in N’Djamena and throughout the country. Violence is also associated with car accidents where crowds may form. If involved in an accident, it is essential to call the police. While there are presently no known specific threats against U.S. citizens in Chad, there are violent extremist organizations in the region, such as Boko Haram and al-Qai’da in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which are intent on harming westerners and western interests and are able to cross borders easily. Kidnapping for ransom is a potential threat in the region.
All U.S. government personnel require authorization to travel to areas outside of the capital, N'Djamena, and may be subject to restrictions within the capital. As security situations warrant, the U.S. Embassy may periodically impose further travel restrictions, including curfews, on U.S. government personnel. While private U.S. citizens are not required to follow these practices, U.S. citizens should consider taking similar precautions when making travel plans. Review security precautions and consider measures to mitigate exposure to violent crime and other threats. U.S. citizens residing in Chad should exercise caution throughout the country, especially at night.
Medical services in Chad are limited. U.S. citizens entering Chad are strongly encouraged to verify their medical coverage extends to traveling within Chad – including medical evacuation – prior to arrival.
For further information:
• See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information for Chad.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
• U.S. citizens who decide to travel to or remain in Cameroon despite this Travel Warning are urged to provide their current contact information and next-of-kin information through STEP.
• Contact the U.S. Embassy in Chad located on Avenue Felix Eboue in N’Djamena, at +(235) 2251-62-11, 2251-70-09, 2251-77-59, 2251-90-52, 2251-92-18 or 2251-92-33. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +235 6662-2100.
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Not sure what is happening but the only good exit is through the capital N'Djamena so we are taking it seriously. Our flight will be Tuesday night :-(
Please pray for Chad and the work that is ongoing here. Our departure is sooner than we had planned :-(
The U.S. Department of State warns U.S. citizens against all travel to Chad and recommends that U.S. citizens currently in Chad depart as soon as it is feasible to do so. As a result of the deteriorating security situation, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of dependents of U.S. government personnel and non-emergency U.S. government personnel from N’Djamena on September 11, 2015. Consequently, the U.S. Embassy is able to provide only very limited emergency services to U.S. citizens in Chad. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning issued on February 26, 2015.
The ability of the U.S. Embassy to provide consular services in remote and rural areas is extremely limited. U.S. citizens should take steps to mitigate the risk of becoming a victim of violent crime, and maintain caution at public gathering spaces and locations frequented by foreigners, including markets, restaurants, bars, and places of worship.
The Government of Chad requires all individuals traveling to or residing in areas hosting refugee populations in Chad to obtain movement permits (“autorisation de circuler”) from the Ministry of Interior and Public Security in N'Djamena. All U.S. citizens affiliated with humanitarian relief efforts in eastern Chad should have an evacuation plan developed with the United Nations agency coordinating their work. In addition, U.S. citizens are strongly urged to adhere closely to the policies and procedures of their host organizations to mitigate risks of becoming the victim of violent crime. All U.S. citizens should prepare personal evacuation or safe-haven plans and be prepared to implement those plans on short notice. U.S. citizens intending to enter Cameroon, Central African Republic, Libya, Niger, Nigeria, or Sudan from Chad should consult the Department's Travel Warnings for those countries and obtain any requisite visas or travel permits prior to traveling.
The Government of Chad has limited means to guarantee the safety of visitors in rural Chad. Incidents of robbery, carjacking at gunpoint, and murder have been reported in N’Djamena and throughout the country. Violence is also associated with car accidents where crowds may form. If involved in an accident, it is essential to call the police. While there are presently no known specific threats against U.S. citizens in Chad, there are violent extremist organizations in the region, such as Boko Haram and al-Qai’da in the Lands of the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), which are intent on harming westerners and western interests and are able to cross borders easily. Kidnapping for ransom is a potential threat in the region.
All U.S. government personnel require authorization to travel to areas outside of the capital, N'Djamena, and may be subject to restrictions within the capital. As security situations warrant, the U.S. Embassy may periodically impose further travel restrictions, including curfews, on U.S. government personnel. While private U.S. citizens are not required to follow these practices, U.S. citizens should consider taking similar precautions when making travel plans. Review security precautions and consider measures to mitigate exposure to violent crime and other threats. U.S. citizens residing in Chad should exercise caution throughout the country, especially at night.
Medical services in Chad are limited. U.S. citizens entering Chad are strongly encouraged to verify their medical coverage extends to traveling within Chad – including medical evacuation – prior to arrival.
For further information:
• See the State Department's travel website for the Worldwide Caution, Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and Country Specific Information for Chad.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
• U.S. citizens who decide to travel to or remain in Cameroon despite this Travel Warning are urged to provide their current contact information and next-of-kin information through STEP.
• Contact the U.S. Embassy in Chad located on Avenue Felix Eboue in N’Djamena, at +(235) 2251-62-11, 2251-70-09, 2251-77-59, 2251-90-52, 2251-92-18 or 2251-92-33. After-hours emergency number for U.S. citizens is +235 6662-2100.
• Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
Positive 07 Sept 2015
Positive
07 Sept 2015
I have a 10year old boy on the pediatric service...he only weighs 15kg (just over 30lbs). You probably can't imagine just how small that is.
On rounds this morning I greeted him in Arabic and he responded and gave me a huge smile. He is pretty sick.
His dad abandoned him and his mom when he was born. His mom is out of money so we gave her beans and rice today and bought his medicine.
Unfortunately his HIV test is positive. I was so hoping to be wrong...
07 Sept 2015
I have a 10year old boy on the pediatric service...he only weighs 15kg (just over 30lbs). You probably can't imagine just how small that is.
On rounds this morning I greeted him in Arabic and he responded and gave me a huge smile. He is pretty sick.
His dad abandoned him and his mom when he was born. His mom is out of money so we gave her beans and rice today and bought his medicine.
Unfortunately his HIV test is positive. I was so hoping to be wrong...
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