Africa Vision 46

Africa Vision 46

February 3, 2008

Battle is on?

There is no way to predict where I will be in 12 hours!
Cameroon, Chad, France or as I hope India.

It is unclear who has won the battle.
It is unclear if the battle is over.

Choppers have been flying all night.
Morning dawn greets with some light gunfire.

What will happen to Chad?
Is the perpetual cycle of violence going to stop?

Will the world open its eyes to ruthless exploitation by the few?
Or is it Britney goes bonkers as usual.

Balance the edge.
Be free.

Today or tomorrow I will be ok.
Wish I could say the same of our Chadian friends.

They will have to endure ongoing violence.
As they have been for o so long.

Host to 250000 refugees without a sigh.
And that one of the poorest countries of the world.

Hospitality often claimed to be a Western virtue.
It is here we can learn.

Today my Chadian friends are joking about the gunfire.
What else to do?

They have been hearing it for so long
And then the staff here in the Meridian

Not a heartbeat
Room service during a rocket attack

Holosync your way through the bombs
Focus on peace.

Young boys out on the street fighting for a slice of the cake.
Warlord or new president?

Will the old prevail we shall see.
Rumors flying thick and fast.

The boss is still in power.
His troops are on the way from East and South.

His troops have been intercepted.
They do not want to fight anymore.

I am grateful today.
The staff of Meridian, the French troops.

Sure I will be in the USA to talk about the plight of people in this part of the world.
They all deserve so much better.

My friends of World Abundance and www.stopgenocidenow.org
Are posting, history in the making.

Let us pray
And give peace a chance

Om shanti,

Ashis

Africa Vision 45

Africa Vision 45

February 2, 2008

Rebels in N’Djamena

The president of Chad is under heavy pressure. As I write the heavy artillery pounding has stopped for some minutes. The gunshots are still ringing in my ears. President Idris Itno Deby is fighting for his life. Maybe as of today he will be enjoying his collected millions in France. That is if the rebels let him escape. After a one-week journey through the Chadian outback and a clash yesterday 50 kilometers outside of N’Djamena the rebels have taken the upper hand. Next on the agenda will be the looting that happens in moments of transition.

It has been hectic today. Rebels shelling the presidential palace only 30 minutes ago. It is about 1 kilometer away from hotel Meridian where I have taken up shelter.

How does it feel to hear bullets zing by?

Trembling due to grenades hitting hard.

Tank rolling and helicopters in the sky?

See and smell mortar’s shard.

There was a song in my head or actually several.
Oompa Loompa from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
I will survive by Cake
Don’t worry about a thing by Bob Marley and the Wailers.

You live the moment.

1. Discuss with an Ivorian professor who teaches in San Francisco the economical history of Africa. Banter on the pros and cons of the nation state in Africa. How Africa’s nations nearly all young are doing remarkably well in some ways

2. Discuss with an Arabic gum trader his experiences of the embargo of trade with North Sudan, the revolution in Chad and the uprising in Kenya. All this in the last weeks

3. You meditate for peace.

4. Shell out hugs

5. Share French fries.

6. Have dinner with 9 people from all over the world and discuss Celine Dion, world abundance, African coups, Churchill, American presidential elections and million things more during a French cheese gourmet dinner. Joking about a coup that seemingly failed.

Today is the moment of bliss. The moment to rejoice. Be alive. No way the end is near.

I contemplated on going to the hospital, as there are hundreds of wounded soldiers there. But there has been no opportunity for transport and it would be silly to risk being attacked by rebels, stray bullets, stray dogs and bombarding to aid the needy.

Waiting for the sun and praying for peace.

Namaskar,

Ashis

Africa Vision 44

Africa Vision 44

January 28, 2008

Boubous in Dougia.

Dusty lanes with happy kids playing football. A quiet forest and then the Chari River flowing majestically towards Lake Chad. It is the same river that passes through N’Djamena upstream. He area is known for hunting, fishing and artisan work. I think I am here on the right day to see the market, as it is a Monday. Dougia is a resort Chadian style with Fawlty Tower like service. But why worry when there are peacocks and boubous around?

The boubous are blue buttocks langur like monkeys. Observing them reminds me much of humans. After all in every group of humans there are some loud mouths crying for attention. With posturing and screeches the attention of the leader is asked. Seeking his acknowledgement is what it is about. Submissive behavior a plenty and so is the flea-ing or grooming. After a conflict or to avoid one huge amounts of time are spent grooming one and other.

I can see within the colony carbon copies of our world leaders and regional leaders. Too bad it is an insult to the friendly monkeys. They at least live in a more or less peaceful harmony without mass destruction. They even deal with the naked ape very well. When humans come with their flashlights and cameras they pose as professional photo models for the cameras. Be it one or twenty. The nuts are happily munched and a swim in the pool is demonstrated when the people are really nice.

This Dougia is a really calm place. The peacocks have taken driving lessons and are now qualified to ride a motorbike. Although the male peacock still has some problems keeping his feathered tail out of the wheel.

So as the scenery shows its tranquility the mind gets to ponder. Even the 20 hunters cannot disturb the soothing scene. Why do I like Africa so much? What part of my skills and knowledge will I be able to sell so I remain free to write, travel, work, do lecture tours, teach, film, network and treat patients?

I shall have to convince the people that I am made for teaching public health and infectious disease in Africa. And that by developing curricula for those topics at the Universities in Chad and South Sudan a sustainable change is made. As I walked around the medical faculty in N’Djamena one day later I realized once again how tough it is to teach and learn in such a deprived area. The next entry may touch that reality and describe the things I am planning to do over the next couple of months in Chad, the USA and hopefully South Sudan. Until then remember that the monkeys and peacocks showed the way. Live your life in bliss. Play and be. Fool your fellow humans in an affectionate way. Indulge them with photo-ops


Namaskar,

Ashis

Africa Vision 43

Africa Vision 43

November 26, 2008

Herons

A gentleman came up to me outside the office today. Being the Boy Scout I can be on better moments I decided to listen to his story. In fact if I got it straight he plunged into a sale s pitch on an investment in fruit trees not far from N’Djamena. If I was to believe him with a little primary investment of 5.000.000 CFA and a yearly addition of 50.000 for permits only I would be set up to make a killing in 5 years time. Yes as he argued that is the time it takes for the trees to come to the fruit bearing age. I pondered and counted on my fingers. Never leaving his eyes. And with a mischievous hint I asked him how even a man with a belly like mine would be capable of eating 10000 dollars worth of fruit. And all the more important how about my hunger for fruits now. How to satisfy the imminent needs? I cannot be asked to think about the future. Now, now yelps the stomach.

A sign of disbelieve in the eyes of my salesmen. But I was not ready yet. As I was actually out in the courtyard observing the herons building nests I asked him about his knowledge of these lovely birds. An so I got a ten minute lecture on their nesting behavior, feeding patterns, eternal fidelity and why they would only nest in certain trees. After this expose I asked the gentleman if he got to know anything about me. He answered me yes I learnt about your character. So I asked him what about it? Is it good or is it bad? Well good for you. It was the best answer possible given the jester he was talking with. By now the poor man was looking at his watch and was starting to sweat profusely. I decided to let the poor man escape with some obligatory non-wisdoms about the interest of Indians in short term projects only and in birds in specific. Without running he scuffled away leaving me enriched in knowledge on the local herons.

Later that day my friend police inspector Pap swung by on his Harley. Lucky for me I only ate one cake and had one left to receive him. Friends and services work very sly here. He told me of my robber who is now working as a police informer, in fact I have seen him around the street and he was eating outside the Senegalese restaurant today. Small gifts are always appreciated and so my friend was fishing for the modem so he could hook up his laptop to the Internet. He always has great stories to tell. Today we discussed his views on the potential of criminals to revert to normal behavior. He believes that some can but that those that keep repeated crimes must be punished in the harshest way possible.

The story of the way was about embezzlement in the beer brewery in N’Djamena. Some gang was siphoning of beer of the production line with the knowledge of several key people. So some people are caught chucked in jail and depending on their political cover they are out in a day or stay in for several years.

My friend Pap was naturally asked to provide his wisdom on the herons. I asked him why birds seem to be so peaceful as compare to humans and if we cannot learn a lot from them. Well Pap said:” There is only a little battle between them and they may be more happy because unlike humans who think too much, they just live and happily survive”

So perhaps in a next life return as a bird I quipped.

Perhaps indeed.

Namaskar,

Ashis

Africa Vision 42

Africa Vision 42

November 24, 2008

A future and present leader.

Yesterday I had dinner with a Sudanese friend Ibrahim Musa Adam. He fled his home region a long time ago and is a fixer, translator, humanitarian, activist and most of all he is a humble and great guy. Over the last years he has worked for or with Aegis Trust, Waging Peace, The Greatest Good and several other NGO’s and groups. He is full of ideas and as we sat and laughed the evening away several topics popped up. When I asked him his 2 most important findings in the camps and in Darfur he said that the single most important thing is secondary education. If that does not come many refugees want to learn how to fight to solve the conflict in Darfur. It has been 5 years and an age group is losing time and opportunity to progress and learn.

He must meet Mr. Guru and Mr. Corporate Tree. They have come down to Chad to learn about the needs in the refugee camps and the surrounding areas. Their first thought was about starting secondary education in a refuge camp. Time and time again education pops up on list of things that will help in reconciliation, in keeping hope, in believing in a future, in creating a destiny. Why it has to take nearly 5 years to start up a secondary school goes beyond me. And believe it or not as I write this Mr. Tree calls. They call to touch base and share the excitement of visiting a camp for the first time. I miss my buddies. I have been aptly named Mr. Brahma chicken, the biggest chicken around. Smiles around. I am sure it will be one inspired meeting next Friday.

Mr. Ibrahim is filling out his application for a scholarship in Washington D.C. at George Washington University. It is a Banaa scholarship and I had the good fortune to meet two of the founding members of the organization while at the STAND (Students Action Now Darfur) National Conference in Washington only some months ago. The dream of that organization has to do with offering people from all over Sudan an opportunity to study reconciliation and conflict resolution. Ibrahim is one of the current leaders that deserves a place in my eyes. As he is sitting across the desk he is writing a 150-word entry on the story of a boy with terrible burn wounds for which he managed to find sponsors to have major reconstructive surgery done in South Africa. Then he will sweat on a 250-word essay on the future of Sudan.

At lunch we bumped into a Ghanaian friend. His country has been an example for many other African nations. Asked why he said first of all the first president Nkrumah a true visionary. One of his first steps was to abolish the name of the tribe in the name of people. After all are Ghanaians first not tribe members of X and Y. Then he focused on developing the part of the country that was left behind before independence. One of the main steps was opening primary and secondary schools. But also universities and vocational schools were founded or expanded.

What a contrast with Sudan / Darfur. In Darfur it was in the 60’s only that the first secondary school was opened. And racism has been an unofficial part of the workings of the government since independence. Exclusion of fellow Muslims in Darfur and the Eastern part of the country, animist/Christians in the South and Centre, exploitation and suppression to the ‘superior’ riverine Arab culture. Religion abused, the religion of brother and sisterhood corrupted to the difference of people on the basis of skin color or perceived African-ness versus Arab-ness.

At lunch we also talked about the use of aircrafts to bomb the refugee camps of Kalma and Hamidia in Zaleingi in November 2007. NGO’s were forced to leave and the silver birds fly in to release their firework. There are degrees of cowardice and this reaches the top of the pile. Now for all diplomacy and silent work of humanitarians were has it lead to? There is a repeating pattern of an abusive pattern of a bully getting away with mass murder, rape as a weapon of wart, mass destruction, aerial bombardment of civilian places, malnutrition as a weapon of war, arming of proxy fighters, avoiding international criminal justice, flaunting international regulations and on and on.

The African troops may roll into Sudan soon, but to protect what? Darfuri business people are voting with there feet setting up shop in the South of Sudan or Kordofan. And again there is the issue of mandate and the political courage to stand up to the playground bully. And then there is the economical interest of the Security Council members. Darfuri’s have shown tremendous resilience, dignity and humor despite the toothless responses of the International, African brothers and sisters.

I hope that people like my friend Ibrahim keep their golden smiles and vision for a peaceful Sudan.

Namaskar,

Ashis

Africa Vision 41

Africa Vision 41

November 24, 2008

Be the change you want to see in the world.
-Mahatma Gandhi-

So what do I want to see in the world?

That a person treats others as he wishes to be treated himself.

That eyes are used to see not just to look.

That ears are used to hear not just to listen.

That the heart pounds with compassion for all.

That the unlovable is loved.

That there is no end to learning.

That there is no end to loving.

That all are part of One.

That to serve is to rule.

That we balance the edge.

That we listen to the Inner Child.

That we embrace every moment.

That now is the moment.

That change is now.

That obstacles are opportunities.

That opportunities are stepping stones.

That meditation every day is like an apple.

It keeps the doctor away.

Hug 6 people a day. (Add a tree)

Practice random acts of kindness.

Write daily appreciations
Be grateful.

Respect your self

Be your self

Be!

Be the change you want to see in the world.

Namaskar,

Ashis

Africa Vision 40

Africa Vision 40

November 24, 2008

On the move

I will fly around the world for the second time in my life. The attempt is to tour India, the USA and the Netherlands in roughly 80 days. India to charge up, focus and meditate, ride down the mountains, meet the family and my parents, eat, buy clothes and trinkets, perhaps a painting as well. The last couple of years I go once a year and try to visit Rishikesh, Kolkata, New Delhi and Mumbai.

Then the USA for a third tour on the current state of Sudan and Chad adding to the awareness raising this time a fund raising component. I am happy about it. Not that the conflicts in Sudan and Chad are still ongoing but that I am going back to the USA. Last two times were brilliant. I met people from all walks of lives, of all ages with a common value the heart to care for people across the ocean in a different continent. It will be interesting to see if there is any change now that the big bear, the stock market crash is knocking on the door. I believe however that people will still have the same interest. Even with a presidential election coming up.

Final stop the Netherlands. Lots of babies to hug. Some newborns, some new houses and a lot of friends and family. Fundraising should be possible in Holland as well. See what the Dutch can shell out.

It is seemingly impossible to finish any work here. The electrical current in the house has not been working for three days. As a consequence I do not have water and to make things even better the generator, which is used in the office just decided to come to a grinding halt with a nice explosion. Nobody hurt, just no electricity and 1 hour 45 minutes left on the Mac battery. O, the reason for the power outage is a strike against weapon sales in Darfur. People will be lining up to demonstrate against the violence in Sudan. But opening their eyes to what is happening in Chad?

The Chadians who dare to speak out will always come with the same story. Chad was never a rich country but also not the poorest of poor. For the last 20 years there has been a steady decline to the bottom of the heap. Most say the poisonous cup is not empty yet and it must be swallowed whole before a change for the better may come. Yet that change will come. In many African countries there has been a change for the better and there is no reason to believe that eventually Chad will join the path of the democracies aiming for the future. Oil seemed to give an opportunity for making Chad a better place. But the revenues from the oil are not spent in the areas it is needed most.

I have talked before about our medical faculty. Perhaps some photos of the library will show 17 years of lack of investment and that is just one example. Children are being taught in straw huts without books across the country. Roads are being constructed to the areas we can find petrol, the rest of the country has been without and can stay without?

Namaskar, Ashis