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August 30, 2007 The Beginning and the End Upon returning to Bo from Sahn, we had still not yet made a formal agreement with the DHMT about our expectations and how the results of our little research would be used. Little things like the number of data samples that would indicate the prevalence of malaria in the community on a periodic basis, and hence the effect of our project, are all intricacies that we would have to address, not to mention the money involved. One of the more boring aspects of the project, meetings, were nothing in comparison to traveling back and forth to Pujehun frequently for these very meetings. In Pujehun, we made some progress on both the financial agreement and the proposal between the parties involved. At the end, we signed the agreement with the district medical officer and his team in Bo. Morten, Jacob and Gustav had left to Freetown to enjoy a bit of city life before we joined them about 4 days later. In Freetown, we met with Geert- the UNICEF representative- again. We outlined our project including problems we had and showed our appreciation for the relationship we had established. We concluded that we could always rely on this initial partnership for future projects. The guys left for a beach resort outside Freetown whilst I met with my other friends from Sierra Leone. On Mon. August 13th, all but Gustav and myself left for Europe. Gustav stayed behind to volunteer in Makeni - the north of the country - with a Danish related center that helps leprosy patients. I was not allowed to board the plane, as I had not renewed my airside transit visa for the UK. My US visa could have only acted as a transit visa if the US was my final destination. I was, however, on my way to Germany and Iceland. Sadly, I said goodbye to Mathias and the other two guys as I went across the sea back to Freetown, listening to election results announced on radio stations. After 4 days and no hope of getting a UK transit visa in a week or less, I decided to buy another ticket that got me to EU but through Brussels. I left Freetown on the 16th and on my way I found it hard to recollect all the events that had passed by in the last few weeks. Pinching myself, I realized that the project had only begun and there was no hurry in putting together events related to the project. Over the next three years, more recollection and adding up would have to be done. At this stage, I would like to thank all of you that have continuously read my blog. Those who ensured that we were able to complete this project in the manner we have outlined in previous posts especially Paul Sengeh who was very instrumental in all the different stages of the project and my family. I also thank people at Harvard who have served as advisers and beyond and those in Sierra Leone. It would have been very difficult if I had not received both administrative and financial help from the Fellowship office of the Office of Career Services at Harvard University. Well, as for my colleagues Mathias Esmann, Jacob Lennheden, Morten Kiehn Holst, and Gustav Gordon, I look forward to future projects as we hope to expand Global Minimum (GMin). |
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