Life here as in all walks of life has settled into, what to
us, has become a set routine. Daily French study, travel to the hospital to
work, back home in town each night to rest before starting all over again the
next day. All with the luxury of filtered running water, constant electricity
and internet access, plus shops close by, but all of which is about to change
and in some ways the real challenge of living here will begin as we are about
to move out to the hospital to live and work on a 24 x 7 basis. Our house is
nearing completion and our tenancy here at SIL is about to terminate. Life
without the daily luxuries we have become used to will no longer be available.
Please pray that we can quickly adapt to our new surroundings, living and
working constantly in the same compound outside of town.
In the past month we have experienced a couple of not so
normal days which have provided some welcome relief from the constant
challenges of routine life.
We have recently been to Chad's equivalent of Ascot
as we experienced a day at the races. This was held at N'Djamena's race track, a
piece of scrub land behind the football stadium where a circular track has been
marked out in the sand and a very basic grandstand has been erected, along with
shade.
We had seen posters
advertising the event as we travelled to and from school but were unsure about going,
if we would be welcome, how do we get tickets etc. However we needn't have
worried as on arrival outside the stadium, we were instructed to drive in and
were given a parking spot within a secure area, then escorted to a seat in the
stadium under shade near to a TV screen showing the races, despite not having a
ticket or having paid anything, given a cold drink and a program. We were one of
the very few European visitors there, Sue was one of the very few women, but we
were made to feel very welcome. Chadian hospitality was amazing.
Ownership of race horses and horse racing is undertaken by a
very select few wealthier families here in Chad and proved to be a very popular
spectator sport. There was no evidence of gambling but each race was keenly
supported. There were 6 races in all, with each winner receiving a cup and a
cheque from Miss Chad. Apparently a good jockey can make as much as £2-3,000 a
year so is very competitive and a good living for a lucky few.
The races were interrupted and almost
cancelled at one point as a strong wind built up and a sand storm engulfed the
whole area. The TV screens were quickly disconnected and removed and visibility
was down to a few paces, we were unable to see the track from our seats.
However after around 20 minutes it subsided and visibility was restored and the
final 2 races were run. Not quite Ascot
but a great insight into a different aspect of Chadian life.
May 1st was Labour Day and an official holiday here for all.
It is an opportunity for all workers to march through the town showing
solidarity for each other and to celebrate. The hospital and its workers all
took part and marched alongside their fellow medical workers based here in
N'Djamena. We are all asked to wear the same material, either blue or yellow,
made into shirts or dresses. The march officially started at 9 in the morning,
but we had been standing waiting in the hot sunshine since 7:30 as all needed
to be ready and in the right place. The march finished in N'Djamena's Place de
La Nation, the central square in front of the president's palace. 
Here a Brass
Band played the same tune continuously for 2 hours with us all expected to
march in time 4 abreast past the awaiting dignitaries before hearing the many
speeches. The day finally finished at around 11:30 feeling very hot and tired,
when we all went to a local boutique together for a very welcome coke and a
sandwich. It was very encouraging to see so many of our hospital workers taking
part, supporting one another and wanting to represent the Hospital. Hopefully
the team will continue to bond and work collectively together enabling us to
bring much needed health care to the people of Chad. |
| The Guinebour II Hospital Team |