In the Line of Fire
By KK on Feb 10, 2007 in Thinker
When I was growing up, I had simple dream, I wanted to finish college, have a decent paying job , get married, have my own family and help my parents. Compared to my simplistic life dream, my older sister had a different vision in life. We were very young when she was telling my parents that she will become a doctor someday and help sick people. My parents would only say: “we could not afford it.” As we grew older she had a place picked out where she wants to help: Africa. How she became a doctor is another post. After she passed the board exams she went and served the under served poor areas in the Philippines for 4 years.
She is now living her dream serving people in one of the most dangerous places on Earth, Darfur Sudan. She and her team are there to help the refugees get the medical attention they desperately need.
Today was not just another day in the office because on their way back to their base from their clinic the vehicle she was in became a target. The shooter armed with an automatic rifle was aiming at the driver and my sister was infront with him. Thanks to their driver, they were able to escape the ambush. A passenger, the midwife sustained a gunshot wound on her leg. No life was lost but it did traumatize her team. My sister said that she was crying so hard when she couldn’t get her satellite phone to work to call her staff in the other vehicle to tell them to turn back.
Last week, one of their clinics was attacked.
This is what humanitarian aid workers go through to get to the people who need them most. I admire people like my sister who risk their own lives to help others but I still couldn’t understand why they do it. In fear of the danger that lies ahead of her, I argued and pleaded with her not to go and encourage her to come to the US instead. But if not for people like her, the people of Darfur will die in vain- forgotten by the rest of the whole world.
Please pray for the safety of the people behind humanitarian efforts in Sudan.
What frustrates me is the indifference of people who just accepts that what’s happening in Darfur as a fact of life. This attitude has allowed the genocide in Rowanda and the same thing is happening in Sudan.
To learn how to help out go to: www.savedarfur.org
“What’s frustrating for me is when something happens to us here, we will be become a mere statistic…” — my sister
Lisa | Feb 11, 2007 | Reply
Hi, Tina. I’m glad to hear your sister was unhurt, but what worries me is that she remains unsafe.
I agree with you about people’s indifference, not only about Darfur, but also the Philippines and the rest of the world as well. C’mon, if we cared enough, no one would go hungry (if America shared half its daily consumption, she could probably feed a whole continent), countries would not bully and invade others, we wouldn’t wrap ourselves in little cocoons and play computer games all day.
I admire your sister and my prayers go with her.
ruth | Feb 11, 2007 | Reply
your sister is so brave, so selfless! i hope HER efforts will not be in vain…
(fouund you thru glo’s daragang-magayon.com)
Tina | Feb 11, 2007 | Reply
Hi Lisa,
I always wake up every morning to check a message from my sister to make sure she is alive. Thanks for your prayers.
US sends AID to Sudan and other poor countries but the the problem lies within these countries themselves and have to fix it internally(corrupt people in power, security issues, lawlessness in the field). Read this post from an African: http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/postglobal/andrew_mwenda/2007/02/test.html
The AID(food) that is sent to Sudan can’t get to the people because of security issue. The food are stuck in the warehouses because different groups(militia, Janjaweed, warlords) are attacking the trucks.
It shouldn’t be just the responsibility of US but the whole world. There is internal conflict amongst warlords and in turn the people who just want to live their own lives are caught in between. Now, since the main problem is armed men and the corrupt people in power, what is the solution? If US gets in there to help out, it will be seen as invasion, right? It’s catch-22.
Hi Ruth,
Thanks for dropping in. She has put her foot down and wills it to make a difference there. We were not in speaking terms when she announced she was going but I have to support her emotionally since she is there already.
marie | Feb 12, 2007 | Reply
Your sister is so tough and courageous. Thank God she was not hurt. I pray for more people like her who are of great help to people in need.
Girlie | Feb 13, 2007 | Reply
I admire your sister, her being selfless…i’ll be praying for her safety
Badette | Feb 13, 2007 | Reply
Hey Tina,
Thank you for such an inspiring story. You make your sister sound so idealistic and brave. I think people like her feels the need to be out there and be in touch with the ones who needs them the most. Do not get me wrong…there are people back home who needs them too, but during the course of one’s life…there is a nagging feeling that there is more one can do.
We have to remember that there is no need to put the blame on anyone for what is happening or point a finger on who should be responsible to put things to right.
When one candle is lit, it can brighten up a corner but if more candles are lit, then a whole room comes to life!
Tina | Feb 13, 2007 | Reply
Ate Marie and Ate Girlie,
Thanks for your well wishes. My sister appreciates your prayers.
Badette,
My sister has always been idealistic.
I’m quite surprised of her bravery, she used to be scared with her own shadow.
sexy mom | Feb 13, 2007 | Reply
hi, Tina
i used to work in ADB, and part of my work was missions to schools, hospitals, and other social sector-related work, supervising project implementation, moving contracts and disbursements, etc. i was so proud of my accomplishments. i am so humbled, having read your sister’s humanitarian efforts in sudan. she’s so brave, she is a living hero. will pray for her.
Tina | Feb 13, 2007 | Reply
Hi Sexy Mom,
Making sure that the funds are used properly is no easy task.
Thank you for your prayers.