As I write this, its Sunday. I’m working, but happily so. A day of rest is conducive to sitting with my computer, coffee and no distractions. I know I’m not the only one. It‘s safe to say the i-ACT team rarely stops. I receive emails at all hours and days of the week. But again, happily so.
I sit in my room writing and working, I’m surrounded by the books I’ve kept over the years. The pages I’ve read, marked, folded and highlighted. Most having to do with development work, Africa, human rights, conflict resolution, peace, poverty, health, the UN charter, history
and stories. This gives some insight into my long interest in this work. However, I realize sitting here, scanning the titles, that none of these books prepared me for the connections I would form and feel with the people I was working for and alongside in the refugee camps. These connections, not the contents of my books, are what drive my work ethic and approach when working with the refugees. They are also what inform i-ACT programs, because it‘s truly these connections that have helped us meet such wonderful refugee leaders, teachers, coaches, students and librarians that today manage and implement the i-ACT programs in the camps. I value these books. But nothing compares to the value I have for the relationships and friendships formed throughout my time in Chad.
Last week, my colleague Katie-Jay wrote that we “are here to stand with the refugees… and we are not leaving”. So true. And our “stand” requires that we work, around the clock for our friends who endure life in refugee camps in Eastern Chad. Hence, our “stand” requires my Sunday.
Please support us as we continue to foster a culture of peace in a radical way. Join us in our stand, right now.
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Cheers, Sara-Christine
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