Canamancan Travel Blog Entry No. 1

I have been to Africa three times and I am preparing for my fourth trip, leaving in eight days for Ethiopia and Sudan. Just a couple of things that need to fall into place - the return of my passport with the entry visa for Sudan and an appointment with the local travel clinic to update my file and get my anti-malaria and diarrhoea medications. 

As long as the mosquitoes aren’t too much of a nuisance at night, I rely on the malaria pills and mosquito repellents. It’s next to impossible for me to sleep under a mosquito net – suffocating! I suspect that it is uncomfortable for even the locals when the air is heavy and the temperature is around 40˚C. As an added precaution to keep the mosquitoes at bay I’ll be treating my clothes with permethrin, something I learned from the Canadian military. It works well.

I can count on getting the “blizzard shits” at least once a tour. Before my first trip, I didn’t know what to expect so I took along adult diapers. The pills worked quickly, didn’t need the diapers - thank you very much! 

Ouvry Roberts, a friend and co-worker, went with me on that first sojourn into the unknown. We were heading to western Ethiopia where malaria severely impacts on the health and economy of communities and conditions are not especially accommodating to outsiders. You don’t see tourists. Ouvry was experienced in travelling to such places and used to “roughing” it. For me, this first African experience was an affront both physically and mentally, having to adjust to the weather, culture, food, living conditions, language, etc. Ouvry and the friends we made and with whom I continue to work helped the whole experience be acceptable. After three trips, you might say that I’m acclimatized and the experience is more than acceptable. It also helps to keep focused on the goal – 

To establish Centres of Excellence in each country where malaria is endemic to train local people to implement their own operational programs that will eradicate malaria at the community level resulting in malaria free zones.

The objectives of this tour include registering my company in both Sudan and Ethiopia, to document the journey and activities for the blog and to further fine tune the strategies for malaria control for selected communities in both countries. I will be accompanied by Kevin Taylor, also a friend and co-worker, and a cinematographer, Simon Hughes, my son Morgan’s brother in law.

Before I get too far along in the blog, I want to express my appreciation to my wife (Diny) and my sons (Adam and Morgan) for supporting me and to the people in Pestalto who keep our Ontario West Nile virus contracts on track. It’s easier to accommodate my social entrepreneurial nature with the knowledge that family and work are running smoothly.

I also want to acknowledge the contribution of Deng Tap, a kind and thoughtful fellow and who like so many of the Ethiopian community abroad, support the improvement of conditions in their home land.

I had the priviledge of attending Deng Tap’s (far left) homecoming put on by the women in his extended family in Gambella 2010. His trials and tribulations along his life’s journey are not uncommon among the Diaspora now living in North America.

Canamancan Blog Entry Introduction

Where to begin? You should know that I’m not so savvy about blogs, Face Book and such, but I have sons who are and are supporting this effort. Trust me it will be an effort on my part.

I should warn you that I’m a bit “crusty” and what I write may not be “politically” acceptable to everyone – but then what is? I grew up in different times when language and phraseology were somewhat different than today. Some of that will come through time to time on this blog. 

First let me tell you where I got the name, “Canamancan.” Adam (talented son, Number 2) advised me to think of something catchy that didn’t necessarily reflect what the blog was about. It’s pronounced, “CAN-A-MAN-CAN.”  Can a man? … A man can!  …. make a difference. Already I have probably upset, someone out there; yes it’s gender specific ….and “Canapersoncan” doesn’t flow well in my opinion…some things aren’t easy!

Life for all of us, right from the get go, is about challenges and how we address them. That’s life! Most of the challenges impact on us as individuals. Probably half of them we have no control over, take birthing for example. Can’t say I remember being born or wanting to be born, but making my way from that warm pool in the womb towards the light and into the cold air had to be traumatic! I figure it’s why most babies cry at birth – it’s a cry of celebration, saying, I’ve overcome my first challenge – I didn’t want it but I did it! At the end of life, again I can’t really comment from personal experience, but some say you go towards a light. The challenge is to let go…we really have no choice.

How we handle our challenges and the end results affect not only ourselves but often others who are within our sphere of influence. Sometimes there is a subtle and unforeseen ripple effect that runs through the generations that follow. How’s that for “waxing philosophic?”

Some of us along life’s journey get drawn into the idea that we’d like to make a difference that would contribute positively on the human condition – the BIG CHALLENGE with a significant after shock. We really can’t help ourselves; we’re driven. Usually that happens after a good deal of introspection and we are comfortable that we have the knowledge and experience. We define the challenge, then pose the question, “Can a man, can just a man –an individual - make a difference? Can I do this?” Some of us conclude although perhaps with reservation, “A MAN CAN …. with a little help!”

Barry Tyler, Ph.D.