here is, another week, almost half way through, it is passing faster than I thought.

Imagine if my 60th birthday I will be in a kitchen serving a bunch of military and civilians in a Sudanese poor city ofMalakal. something to remember eh? as brasilians would say - finish this work with " chave de ouro." hahaha

There is hope, always.

I know that you may believe, but this week has been great.

First, there were parties and movie nights (with the Indian battalion).

Many people approached me, and already know who I am, thanks to the big boss who introduced me to staff via email. Even he is now all praise and smiling, asking if I need anything, etc.

I find that email is a great way to connect not only personally with all, but also with staff in Malakal, and I have to think about how to use it in terms of counseling and welfare. Perhaps I could write positive things for all to read, or some ways to cope with boredom, missing home, about frustration, acknowledge the work of people who sometimes get the rage of those in power (not necessarily an authority on what they criticize, like one of the engineers told me one morning).

Heleen's tips on dealing with managers helped a lot.

I still struggle to see what exactly can I do in such a short time (to me seems too long, for everybody else is toooooo short as they tell me !!), and in a way I am convinced that perhaps I will come again, if there is a possibility- but I think I say this so they don't reject me in my temporary tasks...

I am sorry to say, but the UN in the capital don't have much direct experience about what goes on in the field in these small towns. There is a young man from Morocco who talked to me daily about this, and he keep pointing out that there is so much waste - it is true, the garbage we (UN) are creating is disgusting.

There is another guy from Afganistan- he takes a long route to the office and tells me about his family, his annoyance and his stress. Another one, who lend me his computersometimes comes to the office I am sitting (with the crew of local womenwho clean the place !) and tell me about his blood pressure, and healways leave saying - it is so nice that you finally came... as if he knew I would come. Oh my god

The women who clean is another story. I found 2 boxes filled withtshirts, women clothes, children clothes, and some shoes and I offeredto them. Now they treat me so nice, always coming and smiling, andcleaning my desk. They leave their water in front of the air conditioned to cool... and the water is horrible, yellowish, and I know they are not getting treated water. So I mentioned to someone, and the answer - they are accustomed with this water, don't worry.

I had an interesting experience, asked by the manager to be an observer of a task force. There 3 sectors involved and these "sub managers" don't talk well with each other. Collaboration is not a word being practice here.

Anyway, one of the tasks was to get a crew taking a pile of metal rods -lots of them, a sore to the eye - and moving. So we all agree to meet at8 hundred hour... as they say - a la military ! and there I was. Until 9:30 I was the only "leader" who showed up and the local workers. I was a great model of labor, and one of them look at me and said "you strong" as if alarmed, or surprised, as I was carrying these stupid things back and forth with them. It was the day to get a great tan, and many bites.

I counted 31 last night. My leg is in bad shape... by 11 AM I decided that the men needed water. And there was this argument with the woman, who certainly is beyond burned out... she told me supply water - slavery? I know the UN does not supply water to us. I must pay 10 dollars every 4 days for a dozen of bottles - to drink, brush my teeth, and make coffee...I could not believe. I told the men to stop working and take a break, and they seemed to liked me even more... and they looked at her defiantly. She could not believe. Well, the work was done finally.

Every day there are challenges to be faced and surprises to be considered.

Last week I went to a meeting, one of those burocratic meetings where 20 or so reps of particular organizations like the UN, UNICEF, Doctors without borders, and lots of NGO sit around... on security. And, as I was supposed to go to a small town nearby, one of the team sites as we called, I asked about the conditions of the road. Then one of the Cambodian told me that they collect 154 land mines (last week? Last month?) and 3 days ago they cleaned that particular road, and the day

after some car hit a (new) landmine... so I guess they are going to send me by helicopter sometime next week. Incredible to think that someone clean up the threats and danger, and just to find out that it is an on going process. Andd I heard yesterday that a convoy was "interrupted" by milicia and someone was beated up - there I go, visiting in a CIS debrief..

This trip is a process, a la Indiana Jones. If someone asked me what is the result, there is not much to say - there is no treasure in the end of the (hot) tunnel, it is pure process, and likely I see it as a reflection of what is gong on politically and socially. It is hard to work towards one particular goal as the process shows that is constantly revolving, or at least evolving to something else.

The highlight was that fi nally I hold a meeting with all staff interested in forming the Welfare committee, and even I was surprised to see that 9 people came. A successful meeting, according to the director (who sleeps in all meeting, and was somewhat awake in this one!!), and I was appointed chair until I leave. A cafeteria at HQ will be open under my command. Can you believe? Being in Sudan, in a town called Malakal, opening a cafeteria. And you will laugh even more when I tell you that I suggested a pan for its name STAFFBUCKS - given that the UN is not giving a cent to us, and we need to find ways to make money... they don't know what fiasco I am in

business. Anyway, the cafeteria has been cleaned spotless, I found someone to make bread, a delicious Kenian brioche that when I brought samples people could not believe that was made locally... I am know now to find jewels in this place.

Hahaha.

Now I am in Khartoum, in a bed and breakfast you must look at google - it calls Bougainvilla guesthouse, ran by a couple, Norwegian and Danish, he is a physician and she is a nurse. Lovely people, and I feel pampered. It is walking distance from the UN and it will be great to be around for a day or so with no work, not around military, and certainly with a decent breakfast (which is included in the 50 dol night). I woke up again with the religious prayers and chanting of Khartoum, and there was a familiarity already.

We all had one evening in the Blue Nile - finally I got to take a few pictures... and all is fine.

back to work now.

So, this is my week folks. There is hope eh?

Muita saudade dos brasileiros.

I miss you all, looking for to come home, finding a new home, sharing

it, as always.

Perhaps even more than one home...

And see what is next.

Keep well, keep healthy, and filled your life with joy and love.

Always

Yaya