To Africa or not to Africa?

After my wonderful 5-month retreat and with my newly found sense of inner peace, the world awaited. In the past few weeks, I've visited New York, Washington and Trinidad. It was a great "home-coming" of sorts, since I hadn't been back to the US in two years and I was extremely happy to make it to my beautiful Trinbago to recharge myself before the latest challenge at hand... I'm moving to Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo for the next 3 months!

How did this happen? Well, while I was relaxing I also continued searching on the job front and found a fabulous global fellowship program that would enable me to travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo in Africa and fulfill my dream of working in the area of conflict resolution within the judicial system!

I must say that when I was initially offered the position, I felt quite ambivalent; extremely happy but also scared at the same time. My decision to accept this post was made only after a great deal of prayer and advice from friends and colleagues. Eastern Congo is engulfed in civil war and home to numerous guerilla factions. DRC is bordered by Sudan, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi and Tanzania, and the political instability in these countries have spread across the border causing strife and violence in the Congo. Apart from the already complicated inter and intra state relations, the wealth in terms of mineral resources, precious stones and oil has only exacerbated the conflict. This resource rich country is resource cursed and the money from resources has been used to fuel the civil war, oppressing many and denying human rights.

Now, Kinshasa is in the South West of the country so opposite (and very far from) Eastern Congo. Yet, reading the US State Department website on DRC, it all sounds extremely scary (travel warnings and all). But, I am confident that I have a lot to offer to women and youth and I've spent the past 6 years studying, painstakingly awaiting the arrival of this day. This is the opportunity of a lifetime. I can immerse myself completely into the Congolese culture and finally find answers on my calling in life: to make a positive difference to those less fortunate than me.

But, my dear reader, I wouldn't be honest if I said I wasn't scared. I am and especially since this is my first trip to Africa. Is my fear misplaced? Am I exploring "my heritage" or "my constructed heritage" at a cost to my own security?

But my faith, the spirit of the African people and my dream to one day work on this beautiful continent carries me forward. I'm fortunate to have many friends from Africa, and they've all given me great feedback and security tips. More than anything, they are all so excited for me, and can't wait for my arrival. So I've turned off the negative inner voices and placed all my trust in Allah (swt) who has answered the question for me. Africa here I come!!! And I couldn't be more excited!!!:) Insha Allah it will be an amazing experience:)