As Thanksgiving approaches, I find myself hard-pressed to come up with something for which to be thankful. November has indeed been a complicated and difficult month.
To begin with, Mauritania experienced another round of suspicious presidential elections. After 19 years of rule by a less than democratic regime, the people of this country have the misfortune of enduring another 6 years of difficult times ahead. Unfortunately, even when there are viable alternatives available, there is often only a choice between the lesser of two evils. But, then again, in a society where political expression is forbidden and opposition parties are imprisoned, there is little hope for free choice.
On another sad note, my friend Bebe (see October's entry) passed away two weeks ago. After suffering in pain for several weeks, she finally bade farewell to her family and friends. She leaves behind an incredible mother, brother, sister, and two small children (4 and 6 months). Despite my best efforts to ease her young son's sorrow, he still wakes up crying every day when he realizes that his mother is no longer there. The saddest part, however, is that Bebe died needlessly of yellow fever (not malaria as first suspected), a disease that is completely preventable with proper vaccination.
As if all that is not enough, the month ended with my house being burglarized. Although some of my belongings were eventually recovered, I still feel vulnerable and victimized. As an American, I am obviously a target for theft. What people don't realize is that I am just a volunteer and therefore have nothing worth stealing anyway. How sorely disappointed this thief must have been to steal only my beloved music collection and discman!
Despite the trying times I have faced this month, I feel fortunate for the opportunity to experience some of life's hardships and sorrows. Only by enduring such events can I truly understand what life is like for my friends and neighbors. I just hope it doesn't take such tragic events for you all to find something for which to be thankful.
Happy Thanksgiving,
Janine
