I started my day at the clinic to do the malaria test as I have been feeling my body heavy the past few days; then a two-hour meeting with my boss to review the indicators to measure the results of our 2012 programme; lunch with take-away spring rolls while checking emails; telephone consultation with the Government counterpart; meeting with a partner to review and finalize the budget for teacher training planned in the near future; tele-conference with a colleague who works at UNICEF office in the neighboring country; discussion with the Human Resource unit concerning the different opinions on the report on recently-conducted recruitment interview; editing to finish the document requested by the NY headquarters and drafted by a colleague; checking today’s emails that have been accumulating since the morning; checking the couriers that arrived today; preparing for tomorrow’s coordination meeting for literacy education… it was 10pm when I looked at the clock.
Are things that I did today making any contribution being useful to for the children who cannot go to school? Are the tasks that seem not very useful respond even indirectly to “why I am in Guinea”?
I left the office pondering vaguely over these things, and thinking, oh well, I was working with a full speed today as I was deeming ambitiously that I would leave the office by 8pm today since it is Monday… I drive my car home, on the completely dark streets without any light, watching out for pedestrians and puddles. I get a bit annoyed at the cars that come from the opposite direction with their high lights—it blocks my sight almost completely! Then shiny stick-like objects—two of them-- caught my eyes. As I got closer, I saw a man walking with the help of the crutches. I passed him, being very careful not to scare him or splash him water. Within 10 seconds, a shiny wheelchair catches my eyes this time. The man who was riding this wheelchair had legs that were as thin as the aluminum crutches I just saw.
As I saw him crossing comfortably, rolling his wheels with hands, the chaotic highway of Conakry that I often get scared of even on a 4x4 vehicle, my fatigue swept away, and I noticed something. Yes, indeed, I am here now so that people living here can have even a slightly more decent, humane life. Conakry is not a friendly city for people who walk around with crutches or wheelchair in mud roads. But these men I saw have at least the freedom of going out. Guinea must have thousands of those with disability and cannot make steps outside their houses. Including the children who cannot access a school 5km away from their homes.
My short drive home today gave me the opportunity to remind myself of something I have forgotten. Thank god the malaria test result was negative; I should just continue what I can do from tomorrow on!
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