My life in Chad
Esmara, a young Dutchwoman, has been MAF Country Director in Chad since March. She describes her arrival, her first impressions and the challenges of her new life in Central Africa.
When I arrived in Chad in March of this year – initially as deputy Country Director – I was full of anticipation. After a year of intensive preparation I could finally start. Arriving in a new country brings many new experiences with it.
I arrived during the dry season: over 35 degrees Celsius. The dust was everywhere – women swept it from the streets every day, and in my house on the MAF compound it soon gathered again too. Then there are the new sounds: every day I hear both the church bells and the call to prayer from the mosque.
The majority of people in Chad are Muslim. It is striking to see men in the long, white traditional jalabiya, combined with a turban, kneeling on their prayer mats at the roadside. It reminds me why I am here: I want to bring hope and faith to the people of Chad.
From a village in the Netherlands to the heart of Africa
I am 27 years old and come from a small village in Zeeland, in the Netherlands. After studying international development, I looked for a way to combine my faith and my passion for development work. MAF was the perfect combination for me.
For two years I worked in fundraising at the MAF office in the Netherlands, organised the open day and was part of the impact measurement team. That allowed me to visit various MAF programmes in Liberia, South Sudan, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste. Those trips opened my eyes: I saw the difference MAF flights make to isolated people – and my wish to serve overseas myself grew ever stronger. With the new role in Chad, the door finally opened.
Flying to change lives
Chad is vast. A journey from the capital N’Djamena to the north often takes three days or more by car – over dusty sand tracks that turn into mud holes in the rainy season. MAF flights cut that journey to a few hours.
I was able to join some of the flights myself and see with my own eyes what MAF makes possible: doctors, teachers and relief teams can reach people who would otherwise be completely cut off. That is deeply moving.
Hope for a better future
When I think about the year ahead, I hope that MAF can continue to support our partner organisations – to reach isolated and suffering people in Chad with help and hope.
In the east of the country the situation is particularly difficult: many refugees are arriving across the Sudanese border and living in makeshift camps. A cholera outbreak is making things worse still. Together with our partners we are looking for ways to provide targeted help here.
