How to scare the living crap out of a parent

[DFW]

On Thurday, my younger daughter will come with me to Brussels.
Even my wife is taking off from work to come with us, as is
our daughter's boyfriend, who is from Düsseldorf. For once,
this is not my usual weekly trip over to Brussels for work
and nor is it a chocolate run.

The reason for the big trek (for them) is that on Friday, she
leaves from Brussels for three months in Sierra Leone to be
with the U.N. war crimes tribunal there. This is a country where
they have electricity in the capital city for a few hours a day,
and no paved roads, so that in the rainy season (starts in late
June), the streets are foot-thick paths of mud. Mosquitoes,
which are everywhere, carry yellow fever, malaria, and another
dozen horrible illnesses I can't even pronounce. This is the
place about which "Blood Diamond" was filmed. It is not
exactly the kind of spot I would have picked for my summer
vacation. I guess you could say that about a lot of West Africa.

But this is no vacation. It is an honor to have been picked
by the UN to be part of this, and if she returns alive, she will
add a rather unique public service chapter to her resumé, which
always helps in getting a job later on.

IF she returns alive. But she is a big girl now (23) and can decide
for herself if she wants to do this or not.

We are left behind to tremble for three months. We are not into prayer,
but anyone who wants to cross their fingers with us is more than welcome!

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

1. Your daughter is very brave

and I think that you should be very proud of the field that she is in.

But I think if I was in Sierra Leone I would keep a machete strapped to me ,some grendades and I would even carry an Uzi.I pray that she will be ok.

[TZ]

2. I nearly went to West Africa (Mali) myself last year

And my mom just about had the same reaction you do.
Difference is I would have been in a secured scientific facility in a relatively stable country.
Good on her. She obviously is very dedicated..Don't worry about one thing though..She will be vaccinated up the wazoo and given anti-malarials and if I recall right this is no longer the peak of malaria season..

[DFW]

3. She was indeed vaccinated up the wazoo, but it is the height of the malaria season

The rainy season is when the mosquitoes are out there the most, and it goes from mid
to late June through the time she is to come back. They said get snow boots, the mud
is that thick, and the streets are not paved for the most part (if at all). The UN said
they would try to organize small side trips to neighboring countries. Hot tourist destinations
like Liberia, Cameroun, Gambia, Togo and Senegal. Great.......

[TZ]

4. My boss spent some time in Gambia

Not awful I think...although a bit ummm lacking in modern communications....Maybe she will get to go to Mali..I did hear that its not a bad place and very friendly to westerners...

[DFW]

5. She speaks near-fluent French, so Mali would be OK

A French friend who has been there told me he was in some kind of
disco or club, and was chatting to some young local guy. When they got
around to asking what each other did for a living, the Malien said he
was Minister of the Interior!

[Midlodemocrat]

6. You should be very proud of her. I know you are.

And, I AM into prayer, so I will include you and yours in mine.

[DFW]

10. While prayer is not our thing

We have nothing whatsoever against it being someone else's thing, so you go right ahead.
No positive thoughts refused here!!!!

[zingaro]

7. Courage shows itself

in many ways. It's beautiful that she has your support.

Many good thoughts will be held for her, I am sure. Some right here, from me.

[joneschick]

8. in parental unity with you

what an amazing/scary opportunity for her. May I ask how such an opportunity comes about? wow! I just told my 20yo daughter and she was seriously impressed. :hi:

[DFW]

9. Sure, It's not a secret. Here how it happened:

She is in her first year of Law School, and her Law School has sent students there
previously. Maybe it's the way things are taught there, I don't know, but apparently,
students from her school are more appreciated than the Harvard/Yale types, at least
in this program. She goes to Pace University Law in White Plains, New York. Ring of
Fire listeners will have heard of it, at least.

Anyway, her school selects one or two students per year to be nominated to the U.N.
The U.N. then decides from all applicants which to select, and she was one of them.
For some reason, Americans were more difficult to process, visa-wise, so she went to
the Sierra Leone consulate with her German passport, and got a visa immediately, once
she was able to produce documentation of her vaccinations.

Being a German national (she is both) is not an aspect that gives preference, it is just
a factor that reduces some of the cumbersome paperwork needed, once you have been selected.
The U.N. had no idea that she was German when they selected her.

If your 20 year old ends up in Law School--ANY Law School--I think she can check out
what programs are out there, and the U.N. will at least consider someone if their
school selects/recommends them. I think that is the hurdle that is the one that is the
most difficult to overcome.

if you want further details, I have another 24 hours in which I can ask her. Otherwise,
I HOPE!!, after she gets back.

[Bunny]

15. Wow, your daughter is one seriously impressive woman!

Kudos to her on her appointment - very impressive. You must be very proud. You have every right to be scared out of your wits, I certainly would be. But damn the opportunity for her is just awesome. :thumbsup:

[khashka]

11. Yeah if my daughter did that

it would scare the fuck outa me!

But look at it this way.... you raised a smart, competent, caring woman. And while I'd be scared, I'd also be proud of her. She's living her beliefs in spite of any risk. That's major cool, but hard on parents.

Sometimes you just have to let go, and let your kids live their own lives. My daughter taut me that, after she read me the riot act (overprotecting father r me).


Khash.

[Taverner]

12. I knew Peace Corps volunteers in Sierra Leone. She'll be fine.

Of course, she should not go anywhere unaccompanied. Preferably by a local.

[arcadian]

13. Why are you going to Brussels?

n/t

[DFW]

17. We are based out of Düsseldorf, Germany

And there are no flights from here to Sierra Leone. It is a four hour
train trip to Brussels, and there is a plane to Sierra Leone (1 stop in
Dakar) twice a week from there.

[PeaceNikki]

14. Wow. Exciting and frightening!!

Fingers crossed for all of you!!

[crimsonblue]

16. Some advice...

I have a family friend that travels to Africa regurlarly, and she does a few things to help ingratiate herself with the people there. She takes as much Coca Cola, toothbrushes, chewing gum, and basic novelty toys as she can, and it is a small blessing for the children there. It sounds stupid, but providing children who have never received a gift in their life with a little toy or something can brighten their day. Also, it is a good thing to get to know local officials early on.. My last bit of advice is to be aware of the surroundings, and avoid places or situations that provide little or no means of exit. A little paranoia goes a long way in foreign countries. (I hope something I typed is helpful... :) )

[DFW]

21. Some of this was already recommended by the UN

They gave her a four page rundown on the place. While in Brussels
tomorrow, we are going to stock her up on chocolate, and given the
temperature down there, she'll have to distribute it very quickly!!!

I will pass along the rest, thanks!!

[ThomCat]

18. I hope your daughter has a very, very safe and

productive time in Africa. :hug:

The post above about bringing lots of small gifts and getting to know officials quickly seems like very good advice.

[ghostsofgiants]

19. Wow. That sounds scary, but I would love to be in your daughter's shoes for something like that.

[Haole Girl]

20. Sending good thoughts & keeping my fingers crossed for her

Try not to worry. :hug:

[av8rdave]

22. Best wishes to you and your daughter....

and hats off to her - what a brave and caring young lady!

[DFW]

23. Thanks for that!

She is both, actually. I even suggested she consider running for office some day,
but after seeing the process close up (she interned for Emily's List), she's not
too high in the idea.

The question of whether she is a "natural-born" American citizen although she was
born in Germany was cleared up by McCain, who was born in Panama. BUT--she is also
a German citizen, and would presumably have to give that up to run for office in
the USA, and she would never give up her German citizenship just to run for Congress.