MSF heads in while others are leaving

Heavy Fighting in Juba...Happy Independence Day...

In the picture above a tank rolls down a main street in Juba, South Sudan. The world's newest country is again beset with tragedy as the fragile peace initiative shows signs of dissolving and throwing this country and its people back into familiar misery endured for generations. Confirmed dead are near 150 soldiers but I suspect there will be more as the days go by given that so many who are motivated to down play the tragedy and preserve the dysfunctional and fragile truce. The fighting included heavy artillery fire in the heart of the South Sudanese capital concentrated around the Presidential Palace though later spreading throughout the city according to reports. Juba Report

I'm very proud of our organization  and our people. I thought about the team hunkered down in the safe houses in Juba as the fighting went on in the evening. It was Friday night and I understand that most MSFers were on lock-down in the office unable to be transported the 200m to the guest houses...... and food and familiar things. I can imagine them huddled together in the building with only one another for company. And I have no doubt that they are back to work today...as they will be tomorrow and the day after that.

An evacuation may be inevitable if the situation cannot be stabilized but I can't help think about a senior executive from another organization I spoke with last week. He said that MSF is getting stuff done while others are still talking and often are heading into a country as many other NGO's head for the exits. As Margaret Mead said "Never underestimate the power of a few committed people to change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

My thoughts are with the brave MSFers in Juba and my hope is that common sense prevails in a country where the very concept seems completely beyond their grasp. The people of South Sudan have suffered far too much already.

On a much lighter note.... 4 for 4

We had a 4 day work week this week because of the Eid celebrations ending the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Eid Mubarak!! And on this week I saw animals on the roadside on each of the 4 days as I traveled home from work. Pictured above (and while hard to see - and looking more like cows) are 5 black Rhinos. On the other days it was just ostrich and Giraffes.... how cool is that to see these animals in the city. Stevie Jake and I traveled 5 hours to a game park and didn't see a Rhino...huh!

I also want to give thanks to my friend Henry who brought Peppers and Avocados from his farm for me. From the peppers I made a chicken dish where I stuffed a breast with his peppers and banana...I then breaded the rolled breasts and baked with fresh pineapple and passion fruit juice. On the side, rice  cooked in Coconut milk and a whole fresh coconut grated in. On the side...a bit of broccoli. I would make this again. It was pretty good.

Hey who's that Hippie!!!!

Thanks for reading Layno!!!