Fraser's blog

I noticed that the not-quite-ginger person has recently posted her first message in ages... which prompts me to do the same. It’s been a very busy few weeks and apologies to all for not being more in touch. Over the last few weeks we have had periods with out HOM in town, an evolving refugee issue to respond to and just yesterday the country’s first elections in about 12 years. I also managed a field trip to our most remote project (no water, mains electricity but beautiful countryside and a very welcoming team).

So today is the day after elections. Yesterday there were some explosions and sustained gunfire in the morning and sporadic shots thoughout the day. Voting in five communes near Buja was disrupted, but overall I think the consensus is that the day went quite well. Quite what happens when the results come out we don’t know, so for the moment we are not moving around much and keeping our ears and eyes open.

As for me, I’m quite tired, despite the relatively relaxing field trip. I’m roughly halfway through my mission and still need to slow down if I am to make it to October. As always, the work is both deeply satisfying and incredibly frustrating. But even on the bad days I can think of much worse places to be. Maybe it is time to start thinking about my next holiday. More diving? Or do I visit Europe so that friends from the UK get to see me and I am reminded of what a real summer feels like?