Unforgettable experience

An unforgettable experience is an event that has a great impact on a person's life and something that can change their life forever.

The most unforgettable experience stays in the memory all the time. For me it is my 01 year working experience in the western state of Sudan, i. e Darfur with United Nations.

I still remember the day when I received a surprise call from New York, inquiring my availability for a post in Darfur/Sudan with United Nations. At that time I was working with UNHCR in India as a National staff member.

I was shoked, as I could not believe the fact that my name was short-listed for an interview. Reason being my age (I was only 26 years by then) and my experience. Anyway, I prepared my self for this interview with full of excitement.
I knew Darfur is a war zone, working with UN in Darfur is not going to be easy and there will be so much family pressures and issues as I was not married then. But I didn't want to think anything about the negatives, as I really wanted that post as a GIFT of my hard-work.
I was so excited and did so much home work in order to be selected in that competitive telephone interview. Well, as expected I was selected.

It wasn't that easy to convince my parents and my would-be in-lows to get a clearance, before I get the country's security clearance. They knew nothing about Darfur, but started watching CNN and BBC all the time to understand what is going on there. My extended family members became like SUN TV news readers, as they always come to my home with a head-line hot news about Darfur.

"Don't allow her to go there.. They are bombing, they are abducting the foreigners, they are fighting all the time..."- This was the "subrabatham" at my home in every mornings. Yet, I heard nothing.. May be my mind was already settled in Darfur, as I really wanted to go there to fulfill my life time dream (note:- I used to dream about UN international posts, but never thought I will get one anytime soon)

My would-be husband felt so sad of leaving me, specially sending me to a place like Darfur. But he equally worried about collapsing my dreams, as he knew about me very well. Whatsoever, my parents, would-be in-lows and husband strongly decided that I should marry first then only I can proceed with other things.

It was only 3 weeks left between their marriage decision and my travel day to Darfur. I agreed for that quick/simple wedding, though I had tons of plans about my dream wedding.

We entered into a family life with full of happiness, but before we complete our honeymoon, I received the last call from my agency mentioning my travel date and all the procedures. Ranging from getting vaccination for all the possible fevers, security clearance, initial training and what not... Guess what, as a new bride, I had to run here and there to complete all the formalities. My poor husband followed me as a puppet.

After completing all the dramas, I managed to enter into my flight to Sudan. It was a mixed feeling... This time I could not feel that excitment, no happiness, but kind of missing feelings... Something broke my heart and it pained a lot. But what to do, I had no guts to get down from the plane and say I am not going... So, I travelled.

It was nearly 8PM, when I landed in Khartoum (Sudan's capital). It was still hot and bright.. I could see the landscape of that desert land so closely from my window.

I didn't have Sudanese visa by then. They said, I will get On-Arrival visa upon my arrival, but there was no UN authority at the airport... I feared, and to add fuel to the fire, I could see a very dark room inside the airport where all the illegal migrants were kept. No one understood English, French... Nope, All what they knew was Arabic... Which unfortunately I didn't know by that time.

But for my surprise I met one Indian at the plane itself.. We became friends during the journey, and he helped me to call my authorities for help. Well, my authorities were on their way it seems, and they reached me immediately with the Visa papers. Gosh... I was able to move out from the airport after almost 2 hr discussions.

Generally if an UN international staff arrives to a new country to take up a new position, the in country staff will assist him/her by all the possible ways, that includes booking accomodation in star hotels, lunch, dinner etc... until they really start working. In my case, due to security reasons, my colleagues in Sudan advised me to stay in a UN funded Guest house for 4 days in Khartoum prior leaving to Darfur.

That was a dark room, with pale bed sheets, dirty bathrooms, and above all full of dust.. Reason, HABOOB - Sand storm.
I managed somehow, and felt too hungry in that night. I didn't want to unpack my bags as i knew it was just a temporary accomodation, so I asked the security guard to take me to a place where I can have some meals and drinks. Well, he took me... It seemed like a Chinese restaurant.. They served me some annimal soup (don't know which annimal) with fried pea nuts - That was called as dinner.. Imagine, I just travelled the whole day, and had only the meals given in the plane. I went mad, and cried alone in my room. I really wanted to go back, as I badly missed everyone at home then.

Now I could clearly hear the voices, advises, and suggestions from my family prior to my travel. Which I purposely avoided before.

What to do... I had no options, other than accepting the fact that I am already in Khartoum, and I must go to Darfur, the war land, which will be 100 times worst than what I am going through now. Anyway, I controlled my emotions, and went ahead.

I can't forget the day I landed in Darfur... Weather was above 55 degree.. Hot and dry envirment..A huge desert, no trees, no water, no building... A complete different world. It was the period of sand storms, so the land was covered by dust. The visibility distance was less than 50 m.

The authorities took me to the accomodation. They said, you are lucky to be accomodated in one of the best accomodation here. After hearing this, I immediately prayed to God and thanked him. Well, they took me to the so called wonderful accomodation.. i.e a tent divided by 7 rooms in the sand. The floor was covered by a plastic sheet, and there was AC. That's the speciality, as other tents do not have one.

I almost cried. How can I live in a tent, that too divided accomodation with others, common bathroom...OMG... I just couldn't stop myself from crying loud.

Basically I was born and broughtup in a upper class family, and I was kind of spoon fed baby till then.

I just rushed to the chief, and explained my situation to him. I asked him to help me go back to my country as soon as possible. He said he needs 7 working days to facilitate my travel, as it has lots of financial and protocol implications. So, he asked me to manage my self in this place.

For my surpise, the camp had only 3 females, 35 males. none of them were from the sub continent. I was kind of left alone in the real hell.

That 07 days made miracles in my life... I met a couple of nice souls in the came, who helped me a lot to start my living.
The next day, we were asked to pack our bags and get ready to move to Uganda, as there were some reliable information that our camp may be attacked by the terrorist anytime. I was thrilled, packed my bag.. But how can I go to Uganda without my passport..? It was still with my authorities...

Nothing happened..So, as useual they started our induction training programme in the field.
We heard gun shots during the training.. But we were kind of used to it as it was a normal happening/sound in that place. But the sound slowly came close to our training camp, and even before we realise anything, some militia men took control our place and started shooting in the air.

I was breathless, and laid down under my table as requested by the militia men. After a few minutes, they said they are going to hi-jack 3 of us, and the remaining persons should continue to lay down in the floor.
Unfortunately I became one among the 03 victims of hi-jacking.. They covered my face by a closed cap, placed a gun at my back and asked me to walk with them.

I was almost died by then.. Then the hi-jackers asked me to pray to my God, as they were gonna kill me. I didn't pray, but I could see only my mothers picture in my eyes.. No one else... I just closed by eyes for a while.. Then I could hear a known voice from my back side, yes.. He was the trainer, who was training us since morning... How come he is with these people.. Before my mind works, they removed the gun and cap from me, and explained everything to me... Yes, It was a drama.. A set up hi-jack..conducted by Rwndan batalians to show us practically that how does hi-jacks happen and how to save us.. So, they asked us to go back to the class room and join the training..... How????????????????????????????????????????????

Another day, when I went to the nearby market to buy some veggies, I heard gun shots, and that was real.... People scattered here and there, and I almost missed my driver from the crowd. But fortunately we were able to escape from there.

Days and nights passed by like this for about 1 month, still my passport didn't come, so I coudn't go back to India.

After series of training, finally my team allowed me to go to the Refugee camp to work directly with the people. It was like a high level visit, as 5 armed vehicle ahead of us, 5 escorted armed cars behind us, and in the middle we Human rights officers travel in our own cars. This set up is only upto the airport, from there we had to travel by a small chopper (helecopter). It was yet another unforgettable experience.

I forget about all my hardships, short comings, security issues etc...etc... after seeing the poor life styles of the refugees in the camp. Their stories, their hardhships, and tears.. I felt like God ordered me to go and serve for these people no matter what. Hence I fogot about my passport or going back thought.

Slowly but steadily I managed to build a very good rapport in my office. I grew up in my career. I moved out from that tent, and found a new UN facilitated appartment in 5 months time. I met some good friends, specially some ladies from Indian sub continent.

I established myself very well in that place with all the needful facilities. I forgot about my fears, as I understood that I am helping to God by helping those needy people, hence my God will save me from all the troubles.

After completing my one year, my time came to decide whether to continue this job or go back to my country as my loving husband was waiting for me, a family life was waiting for me... I must take care of my own family as well.
So, i decided to quit my job and move back to India with a heavy heart.

This 01 year experience is something unforgettable... I really miss Darfur.