Second Input from Doris 9/21/06

Second Input from Doris 9/21/06

Some impressions definitely linger…the 125cc motor bikes that are all over like ants, the beautiful babies and women, the downpouring rain, the food, the lack of mosquitoes, the Durbar and the markets! And I spelled Naira wrong—the currency.

An unbelievable day came on the Tuesday after we arrived. We were told to pack an overnight bag and that we’d travel about 50 miles north to Andee’s school and would see a special event. We had no clue what it was and were not in the least prepared for the time warp that was to envelop us! The Durbar is a traditional exposition of ancient Islamic culture, dress, horsemanship, fighting technique, animals, characters, music, drumming and WOW. It took place at the palace of the Emir of Zazzua and we were invited as special guest and had front row seats. The Emir was asked to stage this special event because the Commonwealth of Nations was meeting in Nigeria at the time. I think we had better seats than the 8 giant bus loads of dignitaries who were disgorged from huge Mercedes busses. I might have guessed there might be camels, but hyenas?? You just gotta see the pictures to believe it. When it was over, I felt like I had visited the 5th century.

Back in Kaduna, at the end of the SICS training, we all had a big banquet and awards ceremony. Hence our instructions to bring clothes for a cocktail party. Our hosts and friends were in traditional dress and out-classed us all. The Nigerians love certificates of appreciation, of completion, of accomplishment, etc. They use them like distinguished references for the future. Pete and I received 3 fancy ones while we were there and I treasure them. We were also gifted with Nigerian clothing and carvings.

Dr. Linda Lawrence and the team for ORBIS and SEE, the two international eye health non-profits that helped sponsor the trip, left on Thursday; Andee gave a talk at the Nigerian National Ophthalmologist Convention and had so many people interested in his work, we ended up staying one more night. That same week, Andee’s school and his father, Dr. Bitrus Gani-Ikilama, were featured in two large newspapers, a university alumni magazine, and the National Teachers Assoc. awarded Dr.Gani, as he is called, the Educator of the Year Award. They are getting long-overdue recognition.