For thirteen days in Cambodia I was very busy. I visited the MSF project I will be working on from February, a similar public health program as I currently work on here in Australia but with many more issues to contend with. No doubt I will blog on that as and when I become involved. … More Thoughts from Alice Springs
Mathew was nine when I met him and twelve when he became orphaned and homeless. He arrived on my doorstep everyday in the summer of 2006, asking to “stay”. My privileged eyes had no clue what was going on and I repeatedly sent him away, completely unaware that in modern day Australia a child could … More An Awkward Association
More than 40% of the Central Australian population are indigenous. 18 local languages are spoken here. My associations with indigenous people, as with locals in Cambodia and Timor Leste, or with the British, Americans, Spanish and French, have been positive, warm-hearted and filled with laughter and friendship. Mum always said “people are the same no … More Credit Where Credit is Due
I am in the throes of a prolonged episode of writer’s block right now. Sorry Mum! Today I spent time with a patient from a remote Central Australian community about 300km out of Alice Springs. I have spent a few months of my life in this community so we had a common interest. In a … More Some Reasons I Love Central Australia
The English word charity has a long and ambiguous history, depending on the source you refer to. It stems from the 4th century when St Jerome translated the Christian bible from Greek to Latin. He used “caritas” in place of “agape” which is referenced over 300 times in the Greek version and is said to … More Speaking of Charity
In the lead-up to moving overseas for two years, I have moved out of my house and been house sitting. I’m currently staying in a beautiful architectural home, and have use of the car while I’m here, a near-new Mazda 3 which I’m getting around in happily. Another friend is also away. I house sat … More A Life of Contrasts
Two mornings ago my telephone rang at 0630am. Alice was on the other end of the line, calling me from Darwin. Two months after she stood in my front yard shouting at me. Down the phone line I was woken by “Alan! My sister! I’m sorry my sister… for doing that thing, you know, shouting … More A third stab of pathos
Writing about Linda earlier, reminded me of something else worth mentioning. On her first night here, I explained some house rules, including to turn off electrical appliances (lights, air conditioning) when she wasn’t using them, because it costs money. Later in the evening, she brought up the electricity issue with me, shyly saying “you gotta … More Cross Cultural Misperceptions
A couple of weeks ago, 20yo Mary rang from her remote community. I have known her since she was 11yo and I looked after her now-18yo brother, Maxwell, for a year during a very tumultuous time in their (and consequently my) life. They and their family consider me a mother. Which makes me – a … More Second Stab of Pathos
I came home this afternoon after a swim and some grocery shopping, and was about to get in the shower when a loud knock came at the door. I went to the door and Alice, Marcia’s “sister” (cousin), tried to come inside. She is a big drinker, so I stood my ground in the … More A Stab of Pathos at the Front Door
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