Marathon Meetings

Meetings in Africa vs Canada. People sleep during meetings, same as in Canada. Today I was in a committee meeting set up by the minister of Land for legislation reform, when a lady awoke to the sound of her cell phone. She answered it, and began a loud conversation right in the middle of the meeting. I felt like I was in a Saturday Night Live skit. This is pretty standard in these parts. Also standard is an extreme disregard for punctuality. African’s openly call this BMT – Black Man Time. Really. Today’s important meeting was scheduled for 11am. A gathering of important people – Lawyers, Department heads and Directors. We made it just in time for the opening remarks, around 12:00. (Photo: Me. "Buy low, sell high". Freetown Market.)

I have learned to bring food to meetings, because they always morph into marathons, like the reality show Survivor. Very much like meetings back home. Not like home, people thank god a lot and sessions always start with prayers.

However, most shocking is the death rate of young people and its affects at the work place. It’s probably a lot more shocking for me than everyone else here. Yesterday Osman, of our maintenance staff, returned to work after a week of leave. His 1-year-old son died. Children are very susceptible to diseases like malaria, and parents tend not to take sick kids to the hospital until it’s too late. I know a few nurses and doctors in town, and the stories are incredibly shocking, like the high number of amputations due to advance infections – something we’re not used to in the west. (Photo: A female local council candidate register's for one of our capacity building programs. Her son sat with her throughout the 2-day session)

Ticker: The neighbours have expanded. The new baby has been named Laura, after my roommate. … Management picked a fine time to add Admin Manager to my responsibilities. The engine of the office – the secretary – has taken 3 weeks leave and our director has decided to fire a bunch of people. I am the messenger. It’s been almost 2 months since employees have received pay cheques – sponsor cash hasn’t made it to the bank account yet. … There is no gas (to power our stove) in our kitchen. There is no gas in Sierra Leone. The shipment has encountered further delays. Looks like I’m eating out again.