Silver Filters

                                                                                               

I live on the fourth floor, there is no elevator and I live in a city that is one of the highest capitals in the world at an altitude of 2,500 meters. I am getting used to walking up those 40 odd steps everyday, and am using it as lame substitute for the gym. However, once a week I decide to stop at Al-Hudda, or one of the other little shops that line my street to and I buy bottle of water...and I then have to walk up the stairs carrying those bottles...resulting in me reaching my apartment, out of breath, heart about to burst through my chest and really quite upset.

I have been asking around (especially my neighbours who have to walk up the same amount of steps) about how people are resolving this issue-drinking tap water isn't one-some have made deals with market owners that they buy the water and then someone bring it up, others have those little filters that you put in the fridge...so on and so forth...and then speaking to a UNV and friend ZT I was informed of the Silver Filter.

The Colloidal Silver Impregnated Ceramic Water Filters (Silver Filters) consist of two parts: A simple, bucket shaped piece of pottery that is made with a mix of 95% clay and 5% sawdust and a 30-liter plastic or ceramic receptacle that stores and dispenses filtered water.

Advantages of the Silver Filter:                                   

• Treats contaminated water
• Disinfects water and/or eliminates bacteria
• Removes parasites
• Removes turbidity
• Reduces illness and protects household economy
• Produces flow rates of 1.5 – 3.0 liters per hour
• Generates employment and utilizes local skills
• Produced from local materials
• Affordable

Most importantly I don't have to die every time I come back from Al-Hudda and I dont feel so guilty having stacks and stacks of plastic bottles in my house.


Good Day and Good Luck

Isn't it Ironic

The snow has hit Amman, and the true irony is if I hadn't moved my R&R so that I would be home for Xmas and New Years I would be there now.

Amman in the Snow
Thanks Nabeel Ali

Good Day and Good Luck

MHS (Makil Hawa Wa Sakit)

My levels of frustration are reaching new levels here in Yemen. Today at the office, sitting peacefully at my desk listening to BBC Radio 3 classical music you would think that was peaceful, however I can feel my insides boiling and my temper raising...but I have no idea why.

Level Frustration 1:

Some of it could have to do with the fact that I am working on reaching out to various CSOs however when you go to their websites you find that they list all the work they do, put pictures and talk about themselves however there are NO CONTACT DETAILS!!! Its great that do you do all this work but how can anyone reach out to you if there is no email, telephone or even fax number.

Level Frustration 2:

Getting emails that I am not sure are aggressive in nature or that because of my mood are being interpreted in my mind as extremely rude.

Level Frustration 3:

Hearing that it is snowing in Damascus thus leading me to the conclusion that it will in Amman before I arrive. I am the one who is dying for snow from all my friends in Amman...and if I don't get to enjoy the white monster...I will be more then frustrated I will burst from anger!

OK am hoping this little vent will alleviate some of the anger I am feeling inside. So far it hasn't but they say that writing helps to de stress!!!!

Am going to the Old City later to for some Xmas shopping, I think that will be the point I will return to my nature state of Zen with the world

Bad Day and Bad Luck
(sorry)

iVolunteer Day

On International Volunteer Day (December 5th), we recognize millions of people around the world who give their time and talent to tackle global challenges:  from volunteers working in their own communities on climate change adaptation and poverty reduction to those supporting global causes of peace, justice and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The global theme for IVD 2010 is “Volunteering for the MDGs”. The theme reminds people around the world of the difference that they can make, and reminds them that the deadline to achieve the MDGs is near. It is an opportunity to highlight and showcase how volunteerism is contributing to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

Children reading "Water for Life"
Thanks UNV Rocco Nuri

This year in Yemen, the day was celebrated be in partnership with Al-Rahma Foundation; this organization was chosen to host this event due to the work they do. They provide girls who are abused with a safe place to grow and learn. The foundation is an example of the vibrant volunteering attitude in Yemen, where there are a number of women who give their time willingly to help the children, be it as teachers, nurses or mothers to the infants who live at the orphanage.

This day also celebrates the involvement of many volunteers working in Yemen with governments, NGOs, civil society and in their own communities to improve the lives of people around them. The UN Volunteers currently has 35 UNVs both national and international working in Yemen working with various UN agencies and in their free time volunteering at the grassroots level, from providing English classes to engaging with youth organizations.

The children from the orphanage were actively engaged in the daylong event. National and International UNVolunteers provided fun games and presentations to teach the children about the MDGs and how volunteerism helps in achieving them. They also set the example to the kids of how it feels to be a volunteer.

MDGs EnvironmentGame
Thanks UNV Rocco Nuri

From the eight global MDGs, three have been chosen to be concentrated on the day:

·     Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education

·     Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women

·     Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability

In addition, the volunteers and the children planted trees in the new courtyard of the orphanage. The UN Volunteers programme in Yemen funded and organized this event, to honour volunteering as an expression of our common humanity and a way to promote mutual respect, solidarity and reciprocity.

In collaboration with staff from UN Agencies the UN Volunteers programme made a contribution of blankets, books, games, and cloths to Al-Rahma Foundation.

It really was a great day (very exhausting for us all) but we have fun with the kids, the UNVs from all over Yemen got to meet each other and bond. We taught the kids about the MDGs but in a fun and interactive way. 

Good Day and Good Luck

Hungover in Sana'a

I spent my Friday lying on my coach getting over the first hangover I have while in Yemen. I spent the night before enjoying the night/expat scene of Sana'a. The night started by meeting a friend in a great coffee shop called The Coffee Trader where they had all the Christmas lights on and we sat outside in the cold drinking our macchiato and chatting about being a woman in Yemen (she has been here longer and was telling me some amazing stories).

After freezing and drinking coffee, we took a walk to a house of another friend who was having a farewell party...and thus my night started. I thought I was being good by drinking wine (would last through the night longer) not realising that the bottle that they opened just for me was the only one. So the people started to arrive, and I was meeting people from other UN agencies, donors and other International organisations working in Yemen. I also got to see some of my UNVs socially, and that was fun we talked and eventually we started to dance.

The wine finished and I had to switch to G&T and I was introduced to the Palestinian Mafia of Sana'a, and I requested to be added to the posse! HA

MSF Party similar to this picture
Thanks Google Images

We then moved to another party this time as something called MSF (I am sure most people know what that is, but I sure don't). We went down all these stairs and I walked into the basement full of smoke, loud music and people dancing. It felt like my first year at university at these dingy parties, where you walk out not knowing how you walked in or how you survived all taht smoke.

In there, I met even more UNVs...we danced to some HORRIBLE ravey style music...I again had to switch my drink to G&7UP (nasty btw). My friend decided that this was the time for her to start introducing me to new people, and that awkward silences started to roll in...I hate when you are talking to someone new, and you finish with all the "where are you from, what do you do, do you like it here" sort of questions...and both of you start to look around, waiting for someone-anyone-to come by and you can take the opportunity to slip away stating that you need to refill your already full glass of G&7UP!!!!

But it was a fun night, and hopefully next week we have another farewell party...so fingers crossed it will be another packed weekend.

Good Day and Good Luck

All I Want For Christmas

Its December...and I am getting excited for Christmas :)

Mariah Carey, All I want for Christmas

The BEST Christmas song EVER!!!!

Old City-Finally

Yes I have been here for over 2 months, and the Old City of Sana'a is only a 10 minute walk from my house, but yesterday was the first day I ventured there. After work my friend ZT and I decided that rather then just going home and sitting on our asses we would have a little walk. I was in a bad mood, and as usual decided that retail therapy was the way to alleviate it. So I put my bright purple scarf over my head, and we started my little adventure.

Bab El Yemen, Sana'a

My goodness what a place the Old City is, while walking around looking at the scarves, the janabiyat, spices, herbs, cloths and anything else you might like to buy...as you walk deeper and deeper into the old city you are walking back in time. To a time where everyone smiled at you, where no one stared, where you can buy fries-yummy greasy fries-for less then 50 cents. What was even better was bargaining again...asking if I was getting tourist prices...being informed that if I want I could get the tourist prices. I loved how the minute I spoke Arabic to them and they found out I was Jordanian they would smile, and make jokes. The Yemenis are so relaxed, living in the more 'modern' area of Sana'a you don't really get to see how genuine and unpretentious this shagib is. (Might have a lot to do with the qat chewing...but they are very similar to how I imagine Jamaican are-not being racist here).

Anyway, I bought a few Christmas gifts for friends back home, I looked at stuff that I would buy next weekend when I am going back for sure. I still have to buy jewellery-I was drooling seeing the lovely earrings and rings all over the place, but decided to control myself (at least for a while)!

So yesterday I finally understood what I have been reading and hearing from EVERYONE who has visited this country...I fell in love...J'adore :)

Good Day and Good Luck

Snow

Seeing people's statuses on Facebook telling me that they getting little snow...or that they are about to get snow makes me just fume with jealousy. I have been living in the Arab world for the past 4 years and haven't seen real snow (a little in Amman but it doesn't really count) in years. This has lead me to make a decision, these 2 years in Yemen will be my last in working in the Arab world.

It isn't just the lack of snow that has led to me to this decision. There are various things that have made me evaluate my time living and working in the Arab world and deciding that it is time to leave.

Professionally, I haven't really felt fulfilled, the work I am currently doing in Yemen is the first time since I finished studying and came back to my region that I felt my career to be on the right path. Prior to this I always felt that I was just doing jobs, not really building a career. I know that the work I did before has led to this opportunity and I can't downplay how important it was. But my greatest fear now is to become by default specialised in the Arab world. I am studying French and hoping that adding a third language to my skills will open new doors to work in regions beyond this one. I have to give credit to my past jobs, FH and FFF and even to that few weeks I have been in Yemen working as a UNV, for they helped me decide on what I want to specialise in; Gender and Access to Justice. I will work for the next 2 years to get more exposure in this topic, get trained on this topic, reading about it and working in field on it.

Personally, I haven't really felt fulfilled, I have made great friends by being back home, living in Bahrain and hopefully here in Yemen. But I haven't found the man who I want to spend my life with-ha not even the man who I want to spend a month with. I think its because I am not a typical Arab woman, which leads to Arab men not understanding me or finding me too overbearing, too different. But its not only about that, I don't mind being single-couldn't have made the split second decision to come to Yemen if I had someone else to think about-its also the fact that I don't feel accepted in my home region. People always speak to me in English when I walk into supermarkets or on the street...I am tired of replying in Arabic and getting raised eyebrows in response, "Ah...you are an Arab?!" I am tired of lying about certain things about my personality, my religious convictions, and my political leanings. I want to live in a place where I don't get judged, or if I am being judged then it is politically incorrect for people to vocalise it.

Meeting people while I was at the PO workshop and socially in the past few days, I realise what I have been missing out on. People have lived and travelled all over the world, working in different countries dealing with conflicting cultures leading to them being more well rounded...not only that but just giving them a chance to travel and see the world. I want that.

So after these two years, I hope I will have gained the kind of exposure and experience that can carry me beyond the borders of the Arab World.

Good Day and Good Luck