this is how i spent my last day in abyei. from my tukul, to the
hospital to say goodbye to some of the people i have worked with and to
play with some of the patients i have grown fond of, then rush through
the market for the last time, rush to throw my things in the back of the
landcruiser, then rush to the airstrip, the plane comes, and abyei falls
away. music by gui boratto.
About James Maskalyk
James Maskalyk is an emergency physician and, when not in the field, lives and works in Toronto. His first mission with MSF was in Abyei, in a small hospital on the still contested border between North and South Sudan, and his blog from there became a book. He is in the field again, working and living in a refugee camp in Dadaab, Kenya, home to 300 000 displaced Somali people.
This entry is late, James. But I am now reading your incredible book, Six Months in Sudan.
It is so heartening and inspiring to see and hear and read about what you have been able to contribute to mankind. Your courage and willingness to do so much to help those in need is so necessary in this world.
In a war torn country, so far away from the comforts of our home, you have brought the urgency of the world’s suffering to our doorstep. There is much we can also do at home to help those in need in an effort to make our world a better place to live, and a more peaceful one.
My husband Winston and I congratulate you on a job well done. He has visited many parts of Africa in his work with the United Nations, and has nothing but admiration for the many Aid workers that he has met over the years. And especially for Doctors Without Borders. Their stories, and your stories, give us all hope.
Thank you James for sharing , it is wonderful to know that you have made a difference to someones life , not in a sentimental way but a much rawer (is there such a word)
way , you have the courage to go , I wish I did, I try help in tiny ways but I believe your way does help so much more.Your pictures and the music bought tears to my eyes so even here in safe clean Toronto you have made a difference .
Stay safe and happy for the rest of your life.
WOW, what a video. Congratulations on such an accomplishment. It took me back to when I left Africa last, on a small plane with the kids waving from the plains — you will never ever be the same…
Congrats on an incredible and inspirational journey James! Thanks for showing us a different world and allowing us to share in part of the ride.Get home safe.
Thanks so much for that entry. I felt that I was leaving Abyei too. It was very moving, I dont know how you can be so creative when you are so exhausted. You must be Super-human!
You will be missed and I will come back to look for more, hoping for your return home. I imagine re-integration will be tough.
I hope our paths cross one day and I can hear more about your amazing journeys.
Georgina
I’m blown away with your words and the raw video you made. Thank you so much Dr. James for bringing me to Abyei through your stories. You have inspired many people, much more than you imagined. Have a wonderderful homecoming. God bless you!
Thank you so much. Even in exhaustion, your words and the images you painted were inspiring. I think with what you have done here, distance has been narrowed.
I thought the blogg I read on saturday was touching, your film was amazing James, words fail me. You should be told that because you deserve to be. Hope the sense you find brings you peace, and the good memories you have bring you some happiness. Safe home. Rachael
I don’t think I have ever been someplace where I know I will never go back – it must be an odd feeling to have given 5 months of your life to a place and then leave most likely never to return.
But part of you will always be there – the people you helped and touched will remember the white doctor who saved their son’s/daughter’s life or who was there to ease the end of it. And part of Abyei will be in you, in your memories and in how you deal with/interpret the world from now on. And another part of Abyei will be in all your loyal readers like me from now on too!
Enjoy your family and hot showers…
Hope to hear that you are blogging again somewhere else – I loved your writing style!
Patricia
This entry is late, James. But I am now reading your incredible book, Six Months in Sudan.
It is so heartening and inspiring to see and hear and read about what you have been able to contribute to mankind. Your courage and willingness to do so much to help those in need is so necessary in this world.
In a war torn country, so far away from the comforts of our home, you have brought the urgency of the world’s suffering to our doorstep. There is much we can also do at home to help those in need in an effort to make our world a better place to live, and a more peaceful one.
My husband Winston and I congratulate you on a job well done. He has visited many parts of Africa in his work with the United Nations, and has nothing but admiration for the many Aid workers that he has met over the years. And especially for Doctors Without Borders. Their stories, and your stories, give us all hope.
All the best to you.
Your 2nd Cousin from Edmonton,
Judy Lederer
Thank you James for sharing , it is wonderful to know that you have made a difference to someones life , not in a sentimental way but a much rawer (is there such a word)
way , you have the courage to go , I wish I did, I try help in tiny ways but I believe your way does help so much more.Your pictures and the music bought tears to my eyes so even here in safe clean Toronto you have made a difference .
Stay safe and happy for the rest of your life.
WOW, what a video. Congratulations on such an accomplishment. It took me back to when I left Africa last, on a small plane with the kids waving from the plains — you will never ever be the same…
The video was incredibly moving, especially hearing the
emotion in your voice. Its a lot to bear, the loss of those who have needed you so much.
Love, mom
Cool video =)
Congrats on an incredible and inspirational journey James! Thanks for showing us a different world and allowing us to share in part of the ride.Get home safe.
Thanks so much for that entry. I felt that I was leaving Abyei too. It was very moving, I dont know how you can be so creative when you are so exhausted. You must be Super-human!
You will be missed and I will come back to look for more, hoping for your return home. I imagine re-integration will be tough.
I hope our paths cross one day and I can hear more about your amazing journeys.
Georgina
Thanks again for sharing, Dr. James. I’m wondering who will be my daily inspiration now? : ) Have a safe trip home.
Congratulations on arriving home. The best part of my day for the last 5 months was seeing that you had added a new entry. I hope sleep comes easily.
I’m blown away with your words and the raw video you made. Thank you so much Dr. James for bringing me to Abyei through your stories. You have inspired many people, much more than you imagined. Have a wonderderful homecoming. God bless you!
Thank you so much. Even in exhaustion, your words and the images you painted were inspiring. I think with what you have done here, distance has been narrowed.
The video was unbelievable! CONGRATULATIONS! Have a safe trip back. Looking forward to your next blog.
George
I thought the blogg I read on saturday was touching, your film was amazing James, words fail me. You should be told that because you deserve to be. Hope the sense you find brings you peace, and the good memories you have bring you some happiness. Safe home. Rachael
I don’t think I have ever been someplace where I know I will never go back – it must be an odd feeling to have given 5 months of your life to a place and then leave most likely never to return.
But part of you will always be there – the people you helped and touched will remember the white doctor who saved their son’s/daughter’s life or who was there to ease the end of it. And part of Abyei will be in you, in your memories and in how you deal with/interpret the world from now on. And another part of Abyei will be in all your loyal readers like me from now on too!
Enjoy your family and hot showers…
Hope to hear that you are blogging again somewhere else – I loved your writing style!
Patricia
Thanks James for the chance to be part of the journey
and congratulations for a job well done.
dad