Air Patrol to IKOTOS

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On Sept 7th, I was able to take part in an Air Patrol to IKOTOS in order to investigate allegations of a massacre associated with tribal clashes.

Our flight was only about 30 mins SE by helicopter, but the journey can take 2-3 days by road during the rainy season, which should give you some indication as to how poor the condition of the roads are.

As we landed, there was a continuous stream of children coming from the village to see the helicopter, and we were picked up by an escort of police and SPLA and taken to the County Commissioner's office in the back of a pickup truck. As we drove past the stream of children enroute to see the helicopter, you could hear the little children saying "KHAWAJA! KHAWAJA!" Which of course, means 'white person' or 'strange one'. Too funny.

We met with the Commissioner and learned that 67 people had been killed over the span of about two weeks in fighting between two tribes. We gathered as much information as we could, and then walked back to the helicopter. About half-way through the meeting, a man entered the room, and interjecte saying that there was some problem with some SPLA troops outside, and they were going to attack the SPLA Commanders house.... this was all through rough translation, so I may have missed something. After a lot of whistles blowing, and shouting from troops marching by, everything returned to normal. Interesting...

On the walk bak to the helo, I handed out a few of the hard candies that my Aunt Yvonne had sent me in a care package. And soon enough, there was about 20 kids clustering around shouting "Give me one! Give me one!" When I would reach into my bag, the kids would press closer and as I would try to hand it to a child, all the kids would grab at my hands, trying to take the candy. Enough of that shit. The candy went away for the moment.

I finished handing out the candy as I walked, trying my best to keep it away from the bigger kids who I knew I had already given some to already. I tried to make sure the little boys, and especially the girls got some, as those who were saller were simply pushed aside by the larger boys.

Once I returned to helicopter, I made an attempt to hand out some Izzy dolls, but that resulted in the same chaos,so I simply decided to stop, as it was causing a push, and the smaller kids that wre caught at the front were getting shoved and pushed all over. I put them away and decided to leave, and as I turned to board the helo, I saw a boy of about 7 or 8 trying to take the doll of a little girl of about 4-5 years. I shouted at him, and he dropped the doll and ran away. (sigh) Nothing ever goes as it's supposed to.

As I flew back to Torit, I was frustrated for myself and the kids. These children have had nothing for many years, so at the first sign of receiving anything, they grab and take as much as possible, even if they don't really want it. For those too small to proctect their items, they are taken by the larger kids. I hate that there is no respect for others property in a situation like that, or givnig the smaller kid a chance. It is alwasy a case of survival, and I know a doll will not help you survive, but it may allow you to trade for something that will.

Aside from that, the week was pretty calm. I leave for London in seven days, and will spend 11 days in the UK with Laura. I can't wait.

I find myself getting frustrated with many things lately, I thikn that is a combination of ork environment, and having had a great vacation at home, then having to leave it all again. I well over the hill for time here, but I won't start the countdown quite yet.

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Photos

Jose
Jose is from El Salvador.

Murtaza
Murtaza is from Pakistan.

Approaching crowd.
Many children came to see the helicopter as soon as it landed. The police in the foreground were our escort to the County Commissioner's office.

Girls going to gather water.
Look at the number of jugs these girls are carrying. Now imagine their weight when they are full... they do this while the boys play soccer.

Brother and Sister
A young girl with her brother on her back.

Stick and hoop.
This is a common toy for children here. My Dad used to play with these as child as well.

Soccer kids.
The ball is made from a bundle of old burlap sacks.

Comments

[Kelly]

Hi Don! Hang in there, we are all proud of you for what you are doing! I just started reading Emma

[Yoda]

Don't get discouraged my friend. Just keep caring and doing what you can. I have to say I'm proud of you, keep it up. I haven't started reading Emma.

[brianne]

We're thinking of you!
Hey Don, We just started reading your blogs today in Socials. They want to know why you have to get a permit to take pictures. Hugs, Bri

[Timmay]

The best part of your stories is how clear your viewpoint comes through, despite the typical HM spelling! Haha, I love it, keep the blogs coming dude!

[Laurie]

Hiya Don, your story about the candy and Izzy dolls touched my heart, so many have so little, its surprising what we take for granted. Take care Don, wishing you a great time in London with Laura. See you when you get back to the Sqn....Laurie

[alex pro]

Hi Don, My name is alex pro, im from Ms. Cords socials class. Today we are having Halloween, i dressed up as peter pan but now i realize that what i was thinking of was accually robin hood, so i kind of look like an idiot but watever. I heard that you like biking i am also a biker. watch out for the bread with poo in it. Alex

[Emily Wright]

hi
Hi my name is Emily and I am in Ms. Cord's Socials 11 class. We have been reading your blog everyday as a part of our class and learning about your trip. I find it the best part of class because we are actually learning about present day problems. Today is Haloween and everyone at our school is all dressed up, it's really great to see all the school spirit. My friends and I have gone as charactors from Peter Pan, I am Tiger Lily(the native girl who is kidnapped by Hook). It is sad seeing all the pictures of the young kids and you can see how skinny they are and I know that I have so much. I guess it's a lot harder for you actually being there and experiencing all the trajedies(don't know if thats spelt right). So what is the best part of being there? What would you reccomend to any one who is thinking of doind what you are? Well anyways looking forward to meeting you! Emily

[Paul]

Hello
Hi Don, thanks for sharing your experiences in Sudan with us. It's interesting to hear about life in Africa and I think it is important to know about the differences between us and the people in poor countries. Don't get discouraged, you will be home soon. Paul

[Lucas Quinn]

For the time that you have been in Sudan have there been many conflicts to stop? It sounds like you are having lots of fun being part of NATO must be like a long vacation. Well i hope your having fun cant wait to hear your storys when you come back.

[Hans Christian Bang]

Hi Don Im an international student in Ms Cord's social studies class, and I think that it has been really interrresting to read about your "adventures" in Sudan. Its alwayes nice to start the class with reading a blog instead of working with Canadian government all the time (how fun do you think that is when im from Denmark). Thanks for making the lesssons a little more easy to take;) Keep up the good work Hans

[Magnus von Welck]

soccer ball!
Hi Don, my name is Magnus and i am one of the student from miss cord. I am originally from Germany, but i am an exchange student for 6 Month here in Whistler. I like the picture, were the children bulild their own soccer ball. Its amazing to see, that these kids create stuff to play, so that they have fun all together! In my home town soccer is really big, and we dont care about how to crate a soccer ball. We just buy them! take care! Greetz from whistler

[Jay McCracken]

Hi Don My names Jaycob nicknamed Jay i am an aussie and im currently reading your blog for socials. your blog really shows how tough life in Sudan is for young girls and boys and it show as just how good we have it here. having fresh water to drink and good food to eat.

[Michael Zweibrot]

Hi, my name's Michael and I am an international student from Austria. We are currently reading your blogs in Socials 11. Your blog is really good and it's interesting what life in Sudan is like. To see those children makes me think of how good life is for us. We are always complaining but compared to those children in Sudan we have everything they could imagine and more. I really have respect for your work Greets from Whistler, Michael

[Samuel]

Impresive
Yes. It is impresive what the girls can carry. I probably couldn't carry one of those buckets when it is full.

[Luana]

Hi! I read your blog today in socials class and the pictures are beautiful! nice photography skills. It is amazing how little these kids have and how they make toys out of materials they do have. Keep up the good work and dont give up, its really inspiring!

[Laura McColm]

Good times
This is truly amasing that these children have so little, and that they fight so much over things we almost consider insignificant. I think it is too bad that they would have fought over these simple pleasures, when had they not, they all could have come out satisfied. I think it is really fantastic, what you are doing and although this is really happening, it is really difficult to grasp it untill we have seen it. It is too bad that we can't be of more help.. :)

[Patrick]

Interesting Blog
I stumbled upon your interesting blog with Google. My daughter, Meghan, is living in Ikotos as a missionary and never mentioned these issues. Good to have another perspective! Saabe Taake!