Day 8 - office still closed and more developments

Here we are entering the 8th day since we were ordered to shut down operations in this town (our main office in Dakar is still running normally) and we are still holding our breath everyday for a quick resolution.  Got the call today that we should be able to return to work tomorrow.  I am hopeful but that was the fourth time we have been given that kind of assurance.

Yesterday, the program was hit by a combination "one-two punch" when we learned that we would have to justify our program's existence to avoid expected cuts in the pipeline and that our director in D.C. had decided to resign in favor of a lucrative position elsewhere.  If the administrative leadership was trying to avoid giving our organization the image of a sinking ship, then they have failed miserably.  The happy new year letter and words or encouragement from the board of directors are little comfort when, all around us, are signs that we may not be here in a few weeks to see this project through.

I sent a very long letter yesterday justifying, no, totally overselling the project.  But why not, right?  What's the point of holding anything back at this stage.  I hope that we managed to get through and that our part of the project at least is spared any cuts.  Don't think we will get any real confirmations until later in the month but a lot more hinges on the ability of our main office in DC to stay afloat.  Our project is fully funded but if our main office has to let go of the staff needed to support the project from that end, then it will be impossible to continue.

I am going to organize a dinner to boost moral and try to hide my own anxieties about out future.  We have a good, if somewhat unconventional, team.  I would be sad to see them out of work.  Don't feel sorry for me. Job opportunities in Haiti and state-side are already emerging on the horizon.  Jenny and I are looking at options as we explore new opportunities in our respective lives. I would be a fool not to start the process of looking for other prospects, while, at the same time, I feel compelled to continue to make mew commitments on the ground here to maintain momentum in the peace process. 

Suffice it to say that these are very schizophrenic times.