Comments on: Life in Sudan: Interview with an Anonymous Aid Worker

By: Aid Worker in Sudan

Aid Worker in Sudan — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:36:04 +0000

@maria – re emotional toll – I try to focus on the task at hand and concentrate on the positive outcomes. It’s also important to find a balance and an outlet for the stress.

@sloan – re educational background – I don’t think it is the education that sends you down this path. I’ve met people from all sorts of backgrounds. I think the ideal person would have a technical undergraduate degree (engineering, health, accounting, logistics), a graduate degree with a management component (project or people), and a Peace Corps type of experience to provide the cultural understanding and ability to live in hardship locations.

By: Aid Worker in Sudan

Aid Worker in Sudan — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:28:05 +0000

Thanks for the wonderful feedback.
@Katherine – http://www.state.gov/g/prm/108686.htm – This will give you a list of NGOs that the BPRM (money that is specifically for refugees) funds, as well as information about refugee crises. The link I gave is specifically for Africa but you can backtrack and learn about other areas.

@TD – If you ever figure out how to change the government mindset, let me know. As for funding Sudanese, it is incredibly difficult due to sanctions. However, agencies like CAFOD, Plan International, and Norwegian Church Aid work in partnership with local NGOs, building their capacity.

@ Abby – If you want to get involved working in a development context, start with volunteering for non-profit organizations in your area and/or going on volunteer trips, like a Habitat for Humanity build. Or, if you wish to make a longer term commitment, many countries have programs like the Peace Corps.

By: Katherine Herriman

Katherine Herriman — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:25:01 +0000

Excellent interview, thank you. I have a fairly specific follow up question for Christine. I was dismayed (but not surprised) at her assessment of the UN. I’m currently a monthly donor to the UNHCR and after reading this interview am considering giving my money directly to the NGO’s that do the front line work. Christine, can you recommend an NGO that does the actual work on the ground that I can donate to?

By the way, I’ve worked with Sudanese people in my role as a settlement support worker for refugees in Australia and I couldn’t agree more about the 100 nicest people comment!

By: kyeho

kyeho — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 07:36:11 +0000

I lived and worked in southern Sudan in 1976-77 which is a very long time ago. It is a fascinating country and very unsafe for women even today I would imagine?? At the time I was involved in rescuing wildlife. Good luck to your anonymous correspondent and thank you for her perspective on life today in the Sudan. Keep well and stay lucky while you are there!

By: Trackback from Great Reads

Trackback from Great Reads — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:58:29 +0000

[...] A compelling first-person account of life in Sudan, without the hype or bias that we find in mainstream media. [...]

By: Kylie

Kylie — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 09:46:34 +0000

Thank you for such an interesting, informative article. As others have said above, it’s rare to see such an honest, open article about a situation such as this. I too, as an educated young person, really had no idea about what’s going on over there.

I’m disappointed to read about the UN behaviour, however. Although I’d read about the UN having some inefficiencies, I did not realise the scope.

Thanks again, you’ve really opened my eyes, and added to my motivation of a. working in remote/unpopular places and b. making a positive impact.

By: Seifeldin Mustafa Dirar

Seifeldin Mustafa Dirar — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:20:13 +0000

As a Sudanese citizen closing following eveything written about Sudan conflicts by western media, I would admit that this is the first time I come accross such people – both the interviewer and interviewee- who are eager to adhere to the truth of what was and is going on in Sudan. If all NGO workers have same courage and sincerity of Christina, I believe things could have been far better than they are now.

From my close follow up to the Darfur problem, I have a feeling that this will very soon turn into a scandal to those who are insisting to maintain the false picture they reflected from the beginning. Chris, for sure is hiding her real name from these people more than from the Sudanese government. Thank you again, interviewer and interviewee.

By: 'Nette

'Nette — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:49:55 +0000

I saved this in my inbox, determined to find a moment to read it in full, and I’m so glad I did. Thanks, Chris, and thanks to a delightfully candid, eager-to-enlighten interviewee.

By: Hugh

Hugh — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:04:57 +0000

Wow what a great interview. I’ve obviously read about the conflict and even own a “Save Darfur” t-shirt that I received for donating, but reading about this from Christine’s first-hand perspective (as opposed to mass media) makes it more real. Thanks for such great insight!

By: superzebraess

superzebraess — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 06:25:39 +0000

Thanks so much for your inside look into Sudan and what is happening there, and beautiful photos too! I will certainly be spreading the word here as much as I can and encouraging everyone to educate themselves on international issues such as this. Thank you so much for the work you do.