On the run

Sunset in Ghor, August 2007

I'm due in the office in 30 minutes and then I'll be on the run until I fly out on Thursday morning so this is a post on the run.

Please go to Raising Yusuf Unplugged: Diary of a Palestinian Mother. Read Laila's post about the Lifemaker's Centre in Rafah, Gaza Strip and consider whether you would like to support this project, which provides after school care and play time for children in Rafah. Many of these children are severely traumatised. It really doesn't matter what you stance is on the politics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, this is a project to which you could donate whatever your stance, helping these children recover from trauma and discover their creativity and sense of possibility is a critical contribution to a peaceful future. One of my best friends and my neighbour for the two years I was in Gaza was a Scottish artists who did art therapy with kids in Rafah and Khan Younis and I beleive to this day it was amongst the most important work I saw in Gaza.

Tomorrow I'm running a workshop for all the key stakeholders in relation to violence against women and women's access to justice in Kabul - on my way out for leave. This includes Afghan government officials from the Ministry of Women's Affisrs, the Attorney General's Office, the Ministry of Interior and the Elimination of Violence Against Women Ministerial Task Force. It will also include UN agencies like UNAMA, UNIFEM, UNHCR, UNDP and UNICEF. There will be experts and passionate advocates, people who have seen it all and people who think nothing will work. My job is to facilitate a discussion which will, hopefully lead to an agreed set of priority areas for intervention, a matrix of who is doing what where and some direct suggestions for my agency which has agreed to take on a national project in this sector next year tasking me to design it. I'm excited and nervous and am looking for your top tips for getting all the key players on-board with new projects and then keeping them.

A few weeks ago I made my decision to stay an extra five months until the end of December, at the time it felt scary and I wondered why my heart was telling me to do this, when my wobbly fearful mind was so unsure. Three weeks later I'm absolutely on fire at work, I feel as though I have finally hit my stride in a number of projects and there is no doubt in my mind that staying was right for me. My heart knew it at the time, but my head and my stomach were not convinced. Sometimes I have to trust, take brave steps and know that if I am following my heart then the rest of me will eventually follow. Now I have decided to study next year I have a whole series of new decisions to make (keep working and study part-time and by distance, or leave the field and study full-time on campus, and if so which campus?). But I know that eventually I will know which option is right for me - my heart will know first and the rest of me will come around eventually.

On Thursday I'm off, stopping by Stef in London on my way to see Susannah for a weekend then off to Portugal for a week. When I get back I have a mission from a human rights and police expert in herat for three days, then I'm flying back up to Ghor with not one but two special missions, one to train the Department of Women's Affairs staff to interview women victims of violence and record their cases in a standardised form. The other is to conduct the survey of the children currently using the orphanage - so that the new children's centre can meet their needs better.

It will be a busy and exciting three weeks and I don't know how often I'll get here. Or over to your places. But there will be a great flutter of photographs and posts as soon as the dust settles!

Comments

[cath]

for,me, when i'm making a decision, if it's not right, i continue to look elsewhere. as soon as i've made the right decision for my heart, i find myself able to go for it, without looking for alternatives. i too, have been looking into the possibilty of further study for a while now, but not been quite sure on which avenue to take. quite recently i found a course that seemed to fit everything i needed and wanted, and before i'd even really had time to think about it or discuss it, i had applied and was crossing my fingers for acceptance. it was like a reflex. quite a nice change from thinking everything through actually... to know with your whole body that something is right, and just go for it.

i will certainly miss your posts while you're away. but i lok forward to all the photos upon your return!!

and thankyou, miss frida, for your advice of late. it both spuprises me and warms me that a "stranger" can be so insightful and helpful. and i appreciate it.

best of luck with everything!!

[cath]

ps. i just love this photo!

[susanna]

You are one busy woman, Frida! It seems to me that you are really good at listening to your gut when making a decision and your decisions work out well for you. Have a fabulous time with your friends in London and then in Portugal! I'm looking forward to hearing about your adventures when you return.

PS - I'm hoping that your gut says that you are going to be studying in NYC next year! :)

[Margaret]

Have a good trip. You deserve the break.

[Di]

Travel safe Frida and enjoy your time out. Thanks for posting Laila's post forward. It hurt my heart to read that something so simple and effective might end because of rent issues ... I've blogged it forward.

I love what you're doing, just btw.

[Swirly]

Travel safely, have a great time in Portugal, take good care of yourself and good luck with your big presentation. I am sending positive vibes from Santa Monica and will be thinking of you when I take off this Thursday as well. Blessings to you.

[tiny noises]

just catching up on your blog! so glad your head and heart are in the right place--it's so nice when they catch up with each other. have a fantastic trip and i can't wait to hear more about the work you are doing and the relaxation you are so deserving. kisses.

[Margaret]

I emailed Fida at the center. I am going to donate. I hope others do too. There is no reason that children have to suffer for the insanity of adults. I will refrain from my political opinions on this subject. Just please help them out!

[Susannah]

just 3 days to go, and my arms are positively *itching* to give you a hug!!! i can't wait! xxo

[Delia]

Travel well!
Love,
D.

[Lara]

Hi. My name is Lara Berch. I have just launched a new website with step by step art tutorials. I was wondering if it's possible to exchange links with you. http://www.laraberch.com
Thank you very much for your time.
Sincerely
Lara

[ceanandjen]

Have a safe and absolutely beautiful trip to the UK and Portugal...you deserve this time.

That being said, I am so happy that you are feeling good about your decision to stay. You are impacting people, of that I am sure. People are positively touched by the steps you take, and it is wonderful to hear about these things. Lot of luck in your workshop and in your future training.

I can't wait to see photos!

xoxoxo

[Melanie]

It's funny how you can come to feel as though you know a person so intimately through her written words and captured images. I often find myself reading things and thinking of you - like this wee gem from a cereal package of all places.

"Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow but a vision.
But today well lived makes every yesterday a dream
of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.
Look well, therefore to this day."

Have a fantastic holiday Frida, god only knows you deserve some real YOU time.

[Shaji.k]

frida, the pic is a visual treat. i'm a gr8 lover of sunsets and the darkness setting in. your involvement in various activites and projects are praiseworthy. it requires tremendous courage to live and work in afghanistan, especially when there is a lot of violence and internal disturbances. but you should remember that the success of your projects depends in large measure on the legitimacy that the government of the day enjoys in remote corners of the country. i don't think the writ of the state runs in large areas of afghanistan.
i am sceptical about projects launched by international agencies which are often drawn up by 'experts' who are far distanced from the ground realities and who have no channel to receive feedback on how to modify or improve on their programmes. i hope the work u initiate is supported by large sections of the population and that u receive information from the beneficiaries which allows u to improve or alter them.

[Regina Clare Jane]

Have a wonderful holiday, dear friend. With a job like yours, I am sure frequent rejuvenation is always in order! It does seem like you have come round, as they say. I can hear it in your words... trusting in one's self can be the most challenging thing we have to learn in this lifetime!
Thanks for the links as well- I will check them out.
Take care and safe travels...
xo

[Laini]

Hope you have a wonderful time in Portugal, Frida! I'm sure you will. Can't wait to see pics. cheers!

[Graciel]

I suddenly consider myself one of those lucky ones to have found you through the world of blogging. A simple click from an Ink On My Fingers post ( a stellar woman, that one) and I'm reveling in fascination at your life and your wisdom. Such important work, Frida. Strength and blessings to you...

Graciel in Buffalo, NY~USA

[Jeni]

Dear Frida, this is my first time to your blog and I am moved in so many ways that I will have to write you a separate email about it. In the meantime you asked for tips, but I see you didn't get many. It might be that either people feel like positive efforts are futile in this region, or that the intracacies of Afghani life are so complex that people don't know where to begin in suggesting help or improvement. I have to agree with Melanie above, that unless the Afghan government (or I will add, the local tribes) are behind these associations' efforts to help women, children, families, etc. then efforts do seem futile. Gosh, I really didn't mean to drag you down here, but I am interetested in the fine interworkings of society there and finding the ways to make progress. I would love to sit and talk about all this over tea.

In the meantime, on your other subject of "following your heart", I will say this: you did the right thing. (more on that in an email too.)

[Mardougrrl]

Have a wonderful, wonderful time...you rock, woman! xoxo, M

[Swirly]

I miss your writing!! xoxo

[Possessing Joy]

Hurrooo and home based greetings to you my good and faithful follower of all things close to your heart. Just letting you know that i think about you and miss you lots... I am well keen to share a bush surrounded night of heart and hilarity with you, but am prepared to wait until the timing is right for you. love and goodness to you always. xx V