It came to my attention this week that I haven't checked a weather report in more than 2 months...
Hailing from the mid-west where we can have four seasons in one day, its nice to know today warm. Tomorrow, warm. Saturday, warm.
Chicago: chilly in morn. Cloudly mid-morning. Shed the jacket and enjoy the sun and humidity on the way out of the office. Snow by dinner...
Cairo: warm and polluted.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
mornin'
In the corner of the mint green “office” the little curly haired boy’s smile barely showed over the edge of the table. He was happy to have attention and to be drawing with his Dad. His Dad drew a simple airplane with a straight face obviously not knowing how or what to do with emotions. The baby girl tearlessly wimpered on her mother’s lap as a robe prohibited access to her only source of food. The mother briefly mentioned to the interpreter, an Egyptian girl who grew up in Jersey and was struggling through Sudanese Arabic this early in the morning at 10am, that she was raped once but “weirdly” tortured by the guards. Oddly enough, I would like a banana...
Friday, October 16, 2009
Meet Ahmed.
I would like to take a moment and pay tribute to a new and wonderful person in my life named Ahmed. Ahmed is the "office manager" in the Legal Department at the Refugee Clinic where I volunteer. I have strong reason to believe that he, his wife and son are refugees from Iraq who are now rather established in Cairo. Over this past week, in particular, I've had numerous opportunities to personally interact and benefit from Ahmeds', kind-hearted, thorough, paitent yet just ways of dealing with everybody comes to or calls the office. From these experiences, I'm inspired that it really is the "low guy" on the totom pole that can make the world so wonderful. He has no idea I'm writing this.
Ahmed coordinates the schedules of approx 10 interns, one manager, one Dr and all volunteer interpreters, like its as easy as eating a small ice cream cone. I've rarely seen someone, and a man especially!, multi-task with such efficiency and a warm smile.
Example 1: Early in the week, an interpreter was urgently called onto another case, thus leaving me and my client awkwardly staring at each other with no place to go. Without hesitation, Ahmed just moved the phone to our table (to monitor it) and assumed the role of interpreter. Working with interpreters can be a challenge due to trust issues in the form of the questions being properly translated, the complete answer coming back etc. If you've played the game "Telephone" you get an idea of the instability.
With Ahmed, it was seemless and he immediately instilled trust and confidence in me, the advocate, and the client, a mentally abused Iraqi refugee. On top of it all, he caught small cultural elements and suggested things that I never would have caught onto. For example, the client mentioned that his torturers spoke Arabic but with a certain accent/dialect. Ahmed directly translated this to me, then gently added, "Members of Al-qaeda are generally known to speak in that accent and they've also been known to occupy that area of Iraq. Would you like me to ask if he thinks his captors where specifically members of Al-qaeda?" I have no idea the details between militia groups, Al-queda, government insurgencies etc. He was so respectful and gentle in his questioning and I was really bummed when another inpterpeter came to relieve him of his duties.
Example #2. It was 11:15am and my client who was supposed to arrive at 10am called to say he was just 5 mins away. In the States, I would have said, "Nope, sorry. Too late. You'll have to wait for another appointment." They would never be 1.5 late for an appt to the UNHCR, they won't be for me either. In addition, its their case; if they don't really care about it I have other things to do too.
Well, in Egypt, as many other countires, time is MUCH, MUCH more flexible. So, Ahmed comes in and tells me the situation. I'm trying to be culturally sensitve but I also have class in 2 hours and have scheduled my time...Its a follow-up appointment and I do have some specific info I need from him. I explain this connundrum to Ahmed and he pats my shoulder and says no prob. He will give the client the remaining 10 min of his original appointment time and then he needs to leave and wait for another appointment. Ahmed very much agrees with me in that the client must respect time; our, his and in general. He explains the situation to the client (man-man, Iraqi-Iraqi, in Arabic which works better than me: young, female with interpreter) and everybody is happy.
This week we also established "our secret" connection-- we're both play the violin! His brother is actually the head conductor in Jordan and regularly performs for the King/Queen of Jordan! So we've talked about music and orchestra all week and in those rare moments in the early morning when its just the two of us in the office, he hums or sings his favorite concertos to me! Don't tell him I told you this!
In between all of this scheduling, interpreting, phone answering, smiling, he takes apart and repairs the small fan that makes everybody so much more comfortable! So here's to that quiet guy, who: takes care of that one extra phone call as you run out of the office, does everything that doesn't fall under anybody elses job description, makes the coffee in the morning, who's smile can bring your stress down 5 notches because its comfortable and really makes the office run though nobody fully recognizes it as they run past him. Here's to Ahmed!
Ahmed coordinates the schedules of approx 10 interns, one manager, one Dr and all volunteer interpreters, like its as easy as eating a small ice cream cone. I've rarely seen someone, and a man especially!, multi-task with such efficiency and a warm smile.
Example 1: Early in the week, an interpreter was urgently called onto another case, thus leaving me and my client awkwardly staring at each other with no place to go. Without hesitation, Ahmed just moved the phone to our table (to monitor it) and assumed the role of interpreter. Working with interpreters can be a challenge due to trust issues in the form of the questions being properly translated, the complete answer coming back etc. If you've played the game "Telephone" you get an idea of the instability.
With Ahmed, it was seemless and he immediately instilled trust and confidence in me, the advocate, and the client, a mentally abused Iraqi refugee. On top of it all, he caught small cultural elements and suggested things that I never would have caught onto. For example, the client mentioned that his torturers spoke Arabic but with a certain accent/dialect. Ahmed directly translated this to me, then gently added, "Members of Al-qaeda are generally known to speak in that accent and they've also been known to occupy that area of Iraq. Would you like me to ask if he thinks his captors where specifically members of Al-qaeda?" I have no idea the details between militia groups, Al-queda, government insurgencies etc. He was so respectful and gentle in his questioning and I was really bummed when another inpterpeter came to relieve him of his duties.
Example #2. It was 11:15am and my client who was supposed to arrive at 10am called to say he was just 5 mins away. In the States, I would have said, "Nope, sorry. Too late. You'll have to wait for another appointment." They would never be 1.5 late for an appt to the UNHCR, they won't be for me either. In addition, its their case; if they don't really care about it I have other things to do too.
Well, in Egypt, as many other countires, time is MUCH, MUCH more flexible. So, Ahmed comes in and tells me the situation. I'm trying to be culturally sensitve but I also have class in 2 hours and have scheduled my time...Its a follow-up appointment and I do have some specific info I need from him. I explain this connundrum to Ahmed and he pats my shoulder and says no prob. He will give the client the remaining 10 min of his original appointment time and then he needs to leave and wait for another appointment. Ahmed very much agrees with me in that the client must respect time; our, his and in general. He explains the situation to the client (man-man, Iraqi-Iraqi, in Arabic which works better than me: young, female with interpreter) and everybody is happy.
This week we also established "our secret" connection-- we're both play the violin! His brother is actually the head conductor in Jordan and regularly performs for the King/Queen of Jordan! So we've talked about music and orchestra all week and in those rare moments in the early morning when its just the two of us in the office, he hums or sings his favorite concertos to me! Don't tell him I told you this!
In between all of this scheduling, interpreting, phone answering, smiling, he takes apart and repairs the small fan that makes everybody so much more comfortable! So here's to that quiet guy, who: takes care of that one extra phone call as you run out of the office, does everything that doesn't fall under anybody elses job description, makes the coffee in the morning, who's smile can bring your stress down 5 notches because its comfortable and really makes the office run though nobody fully recognizes it as they run past him. Here's to Ahmed!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
urgh...
My client's final statement: “I am asking that UNHCR please protect me”
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; UN's agency for refugees)? Protect a person?
Large governmental institution + individual that’s been seriously shit on his entire life...can there really be a relationship?
Why must a person, a human being, get to this point that he must turn to a soulless, bureaucratic agency to save his life? Perhaps give him a life?
He has no idea where his family is- perhaps, never will again. He is heartlessly ridiculed for the way his tongue makes words even though they are the same words that others say with a different accent. He is tortured because he was born to his parents, of his particular tone of skin, he has been runnig for 15+ years…
Why/how can people be so stupid and cruel to treat others this way that force him to run…and turn to…the UNHCR?
I should be grateful that such an institutional organization and world collaboration exists, but right now, I cannot.
WTF?
UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; UN's agency for refugees)? Protect a person?
Large governmental institution + individual that’s been seriously shit on his entire life...can there really be a relationship?
Why must a person, a human being, get to this point that he must turn to a soulless, bureaucratic agency to save his life? Perhaps give him a life?
He has no idea where his family is- perhaps, never will again. He is heartlessly ridiculed for the way his tongue makes words even though they are the same words that others say with a different accent. He is tortured because he was born to his parents, of his particular tone of skin, he has been runnig for 15+ years…
Why/how can people be so stupid and cruel to treat others this way that force him to run…and turn to…the UNHCR?
I should be grateful that such an institutional organization and world collaboration exists, but right now, I cannot.
WTF?
Sunday, October 11, 2009
FIFA in Egypt
THe U-20 (under 20) World Cup is currently being played in Egypt!! My friend and I took advantage of the siutation and attended a game yesterday-- but not, Egypt or US-- Brazil, of course!
"Futball" stadium in Cairo. Really the stadium was quite empty but they gave away a lot of seats to soliders to make it look as if lots of people were there. Thus, this was the only full section- besides the "Brazilian" section!
GOL! Finally, Brazil got in the game and gave us something to cheer about. Chants in Arabic and Portugese continued strong through the second half and overtime. Once it got started it didn't stop until Germany went home crying! "eu sou brasiliera....muito orgulho....muito amor...":)~
After 1 overtime session, they went home crying! Love Brazilian football!
2-1 and Brazil advances....
Work experience
Last week at work I had my first victim of torture. We were to spend a couple of hours documenting his testimony and case for resettlement. We started off gently and after explaining what we were to do, I assured him that I understand that these questions might be very difficult, and we can stop or take a break at any time.
We start the process and the story is builiding. He's captured, beaten, then we reach the first instance of torture. He starts to explain it to me, then starts to point at affected areas of his body-- his mutilated finger in particular. I continue to type the story and...blackout. What the heck was I thinking?! I have a severe phobia of medical things, I can't talk about phyical torture!
The interpreter and my client help me to the bathroom where I work to re-compose myself. I guess I should take my own advice of taking any necessary breaks.
That afternoon I told my boss that I can't do anymore torture cases. So, my next case is a former child solider...
I guess I can't complain that I'm getting such great field work experience right off the bat and can really start to determine my niche-- or areas to avoid- in the field!
We start the process and the story is builiding. He's captured, beaten, then we reach the first instance of torture. He starts to explain it to me, then starts to point at affected areas of his body-- his mutilated finger in particular. I continue to type the story and...blackout. What the heck was I thinking?! I have a severe phobia of medical things, I can't talk about phyical torture!
The interpreter and my client help me to the bathroom where I work to re-compose myself. I guess I should take my own advice of taking any necessary breaks.
That afternoon I told my boss that I can't do anymore torture cases. So, my next case is a former child solider...
I guess I can't complain that I'm getting such great field work experience right off the bat and can really start to determine my niche-- or areas to avoid- in the field!
back to school, finally
So the swine flu recess is finally ended and we're back in classes! It was great to have some human discussion again, after 2wks of electronic discussion and it was much appreciated to actually discover what the profs expected and their teaching styles.
My Wed night class is "Intro to Human Rights and Humanitarian Law" and taught by an attorney from the US who is also currently head of the dept. She stresses that the field of law is based on authority. At this point in our careers, we most likely have no original thoughts and everything must be cited/quoted from the original source with a clear structure of argument. It goes something like this: "David Kennedy, on page 18 paragraph 3 of his 2002 article states that....Rosenblum on pg 4 argues that....I, therefore, question the motives of x, y, z." The discussion continues with a directly challenge with equally assertive vocabularly and well-founded examples. Its intense, requires a lot of prep work and a relatively strong sense of security or the ability to B.S.
Thursday night, I have a class that counts toward my diploma program entitled: Systems Approaches in Psychology. The students comprise of people from the MA program in family and children pyschology, Forced Migration and Refugees Studies (CMRS) and me from International Human Rights Law (IHRL). The tables in the classroom form a large square to faciliatate discussion (and I'm sure to discourage the socratic method that the pyschology dept does not embrace). As it happens the 5 pyschologists sat on on one side of the square, the 5 from CMRS sat on the opposite side and I, from IHRL sat at one end. Segregated by depts, we could have played dept Family Feud! My legal training and background became very clear when the prof responded to a student by gently saying, "Well, I don't want to argue you, but I see it a slightly different way...." and my head reared up from my notebook w/ a questioning look. I was stunned that a prof didn't want to challenge or argue!
So, I go from, "I am right. You are wrong. And I can prove it with x, y, q and z." to "I feel that...and we can't neglect the emotional needs of ..." As an new attorney friend put it, "Thats what you get for trying to personify law!" It's gonna be a fun semester!
My Wed night class is "Intro to Human Rights and Humanitarian Law" and taught by an attorney from the US who is also currently head of the dept. She stresses that the field of law is based on authority. At this point in our careers, we most likely have no original thoughts and everything must be cited/quoted from the original source with a clear structure of argument. It goes something like this: "David Kennedy, on page 18 paragraph 3 of his 2002 article states that....Rosenblum on pg 4 argues that....I, therefore, question the motives of x, y, z." The discussion continues with a directly challenge with equally assertive vocabularly and well-founded examples. Its intense, requires a lot of prep work and a relatively strong sense of security or the ability to B.S.
Thursday night, I have a class that counts toward my diploma program entitled: Systems Approaches in Psychology. The students comprise of people from the MA program in family and children pyschology, Forced Migration and Refugees Studies (CMRS) and me from International Human Rights Law (IHRL). The tables in the classroom form a large square to faciliatate discussion (and I'm sure to discourage the socratic method that the pyschology dept does not embrace). As it happens the 5 pyschologists sat on on one side of the square, the 5 from CMRS sat on the opposite side and I, from IHRL sat at one end. Segregated by depts, we could have played dept Family Feud! My legal training and background became very clear when the prof responded to a student by gently saying, "Well, I don't want to argue you, but I see it a slightly different way...." and my head reared up from my notebook w/ a questioning look. I was stunned that a prof didn't want to challenge or argue!
So, I go from, "I am right. You are wrong. And I can prove it with x, y, q and z." to "I feel that...and we can't neglect the emotional needs of ..." As an new attorney friend put it, "Thats what you get for trying to personify law!" It's gonna be a fun semester!
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Jim and Amanda...not together, of course.
So, of course, the day after I disclosed my new friendship w/ Jim via this blog, he gets daring and leaves the kitchen. We came home that night and he was chillin on the wall and, of course, Amanda saw him first...
his new- and permanent- home is outside.
Amanda, my roommate, is smiling too!
This is her "traditional" niqaab (veil), abaya (robe). She doesn't really wear it out...at least not yet!
who's asking questions now...
Today my first appointment at the refugee clinic started as normal.
Me: "So, did you ever work directly or indirectly w/ American forces/comapanies in Iraq?"
Iraqi: "Yes."
Me: "Under what circumstances?"
Iraqi: "I was part of the Iraqi Police special forces, Anti-Terrorist dept in Baghad..."
Holymoly, what I am doing asking questions to him?! Half way through I did have to humble myself and verbalize my nerves by asking him please not to judge my interrogation style. Luckily, he was a smiley guy and said, "No prob. I know what you want and where you're going..."
phew.
Me: "So, did you ever work directly or indirectly w/ American forces/comapanies in Iraq?"
Iraqi: "Yes."
Me: "Under what circumstances?"
Iraqi: "I was part of the Iraqi Police special forces, Anti-Terrorist dept in Baghad..."
Holymoly, what I am doing asking questions to him?! Half way through I did have to humble myself and verbalize my nerves by asking him please not to judge my interrogation style. Luckily, he was a smiley guy and said, "No prob. I know what you want and where you're going..."
phew.
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