Where do you draw the line between your safety, well-being and the development work you do?
In 2016, the organization I worked with was contracted by UNDP to undertake a scoping study under it’s transparency and accountability programme. I led a team of other experts to over 10 underserved communities and it was a revealing and heart wrenching experience to see the squalor some people lived in.
One specific community almost cost me my life. This oil rich community has over 240 oil wells in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria but cannot boast of good schools or even portable water. A staff from our organization had earlier sent a notification letter to the community as part of our mobilization process. Unknown to us, the community was conflict torn and had two leadership factions. Only one faction recieved the letter.
Our staff’s interaction with key stakeholders while delivering the letter projected the community as peaceful and very ready to recieve the team.
On the day of the engagement, I went with my team members; I was 5 months pregnant with my son but as active and energetic as a soldier.
We sat in the community’s town hall, a few community leaders and members were seated already. I briefly highlighted the purpose of the event and initiated the focus groups. From nowhere, terrifying looking youths charged into the hall, smashed the table before me and commanded me to get up and leave. The more I tried explaining why we were there, they more violent they became.
It took two soldiers to calm the situation for the study to go on while I heard sinister remarks of how they usually use the heads of strangers to settle their internal issues.
This community despite all the resources is the true definition of squalor and it hurt so bad to see them resist progress with their actions.
Will I ever set foot in that community……… I don’t think so. The memory of my experience is evergreen.
In your quest to change the world….. be safe and prioritize your well being.
You can’t make an impact from the grave.
©Be SmarteGic
The next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not disappoint me as much as this particular one. After all, Yes, it was my choice to read, nonetheless I truly thought you would probably have something helpful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix if you werent too busy looking for attention.
Thank you for your comment. My blog is my safe space where I share my experience, thoughts and expertise. I shared that story to remind myself and others working in uncertain environments that their well-being matters.
May I simply say what a comfort to discover somebody who genuinely knows what they are talking about over the internet. You actually understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More people ought to check this out and understand this side of the story. I cant believe you arent more popular because you surely possess the gift.
Thank you for your kind compliments.