 Travelling
south from the capital Colombo the damages of the tsunami are soon
to be seen. Desperate people are seen searching for their belongings
at their heavily damaged property. Further south a mass grave, hastily
dug after the disaster, now being re-opened for identification of
the victims. The silence of the people weighs heavily. Positive developments
are to be seen too: return of faith in the future thanks to great
projects initiated by the Sri-Lankese government and international
aid. One of the places where the Netherlands Red Cross is active is
Galle. Galle has historical ties with the Netherlands: for long the
capital of the island in the almost two centuries that the Dutch were
active here. Now we are back: but with a different task.
|
I will go back to Kenya in two weeks to be united with
my daughter and my friend. It also is a return to ever increasing
violence, a not-working telephone, non reliable energy supplies, sponsors
that retreat from their projects, disappointed by a corrupt government.
However, it is also a return to happy people that know how to enjoy
life, even in hardship. While the eyes of the world are now focussed
on Asia the many and big disasters that hit Africa are again out of
focus. Yet the people dance, sing, and laugh, and keep hoping for
a better future! This is why I love Africa and why I enjoy living
there. As European I will never be an African amongst Africans, but
I feel at home there. All is well here for me!
|
