a ray of light?

Today was a make or break day for my plans to travel to Pakistan. It turned out that I got a chance to talk to someone at the Qatar Red Crescent Society (Qatar Red Cross, basically) to see if I could join the next contingent leaving for Kashmir. The meeting was good, I think I was able to put my best foot forward, now the question is whether their two teams in Pakistan have a position to accomodate me. The two teams focus on different efforts, one is a medical team with nurses and doctors and the other is a relief team distributing items such as food, tents, clothes etc. I think that my talents would lie in translation and co-ordination as I am fluent in Urdu and English, I'd be good at co-ordinating tasks with other agencies, people and volunteers. I could see myself doing a lot of things in Kashmir if given the chance, but I have to keep in mind the team I am being sent with, what their needs are and how I will play a role within the team. Keeping that in mind, I feel that I could join either team in that capacity and be of plenty use.

A nasty winter is setting into Kashmir right about now. Temperatures go into the negatives by December and don't come up till well into April. Kashmir might be a while south of Canada, but remember that it is in a mountainous region. Much of the province is either valleys or towns located high up in the mountains... which is why the relief efforts have been hampered in more ways than one. Plus, what makes this winter even worse is that there are no solid shelters. Its all tents and poorly constructed housing that has no heating. That makes Kashmir an even more dangerous location than ever before.

The earthquake has long outlived its media shine outside Pakistan but many NGOs are predicting that there will be a bigger catastrophe this winter than there was during the earthquake. Cholera has been reported in many camps, people still don't have more than 2 or 3 pairs of clothing and they'll have to use all of that to stay warm every night. The situation is dire and its getting worse everyday as the temperature drops furthere and further. Although people are well aware of this, no one seems to be mentioning that at its worst the temperature will reach -30 Celsius and lower. Imagine standing outside in donated clothes without the prospect of having a warm house and warm bath to go into.

I am dreading the cold, but am not losing heart due to some pansy ass weather. I have my army gloves generously donated by M, I have my trusted Columbia jacket and fleece and I have the memory of many a cold winter's night in my backyard with J- listening to Beastie Boys with pinners in my hand. Starting tomorrow, I am hoping to buy long johns (I refused to wear them in Canada, but I think its time I got off my high horse), warm and thick Kurta-Shalwars (the tradiotional male dress of Pakistan, jeans will make me an easy target for thieves), and loads of thick socks.

There is a Red Crescent cargo plane leaving in 5 days from Doha, that plane will also carry volunteers. If a position is available, I hope to be on that plane. Seeing that there is a chance, I've decided to postpone my trip to Karachi for atleast a week. I'll apply for a week's extension on my visa tomorrow and hope that I get a Qatar Airways interview or a Red Crescent call in the next few days. Either would be much appreciated. Both would be heaven sent.

The interview today with the Red Crescent guy was not overly promising, but it wasn't bad either. It was hard to put a finger on it because they are looking for volunteers, they do need people, the question is whether I can fill the positions that are available. I think I can, I hope they do too. But, the person deciding that fact is not anyone in Qatar but the two team leaders in Kashmir. One of them however is a Pakistani Canadian.

Needless to say, I am not overly stressed that my trip to Pakistan has been delayed, if nothing else pops up, I'l just go next week. But this volunteer position could kick start a career that I have dreamed about for a few years now. So a week more in Doha is not a heavy price to pay.

*fingers crossed really tightly*