Here's the plan: visiting Edna Adan Ismail at her hospital in Hargeisa, Somaliland. Paying tribute to one of the most charismatic women I have ever met, supporting her in her fight against FGM and for a better chance of surviving for the women and babies of her country when they give birth.
Edna Adan Hospital
I have met Edna in 2010 when she visited Switzerland following an invitation of TERRE DES FEMMES Switzerland. For three weeks she relentlessly talked, argued, gave interviews, held workshops and speeches. On the few days off, it was my pleasure to accomodate her every wish and bring her to places she wanted to see. Most impressive was the afternoon when we visited that winemaker who sat with Edna, explaining her how best to care for her grapevines which she had bought a couple of years earlier in Hargeisa from a man selling small apple trees.... It was snowing that day, everything was white and wet. It was warm in that man's living room and when they had finished, he gave Edna a pair of rubber-boots and took her into the wineyards to show her his wines. He also cut some branches off his plants and handed them over to Edna to mix them with hers in Hargeisa.
Another unforgettable day was when we took a trip on the lake of Zurich, all the way down and back up, a 4h trip, enough time to relax, palaver and laugh a lot. Since then I know that Edna loves Paprika Chips from Zweifel! :-)
So, the time has come to visit Edna and her Hospital. Travelling along are Salomé, my 14 year old daughter and Angelika Disqué, a member of TERRE DES FEMMES and a veteran when it comes to travelling the African continent. We are in the middle of preprations, vaccinations and generally getting everything ready for the 5 week stay in Hargeisa. We will travel from Zurich to Dubai and from Dubai to Berbera. Another 3h trip on a 4wheel drive and we'll have reached Hargeisa. Since the airport in Hargeise is being under construction, we cannot fligh directly and have to take the Berbera route.
There will be one or two more prep-blogs and once we are in Somaliland, we will hopefully keep you up-to-date on a regular basis.
:-)
L
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