For a moment it looked like our International Women’s Day celebration was in danger of becoming a non event. The leadership (assigned, not volunteered) was more than a bit shaky and there was little commitment to make it work. And just when I had recruited a new coordinator the train got back on the rails. I was relieved to hear that we will have a celebration after all. Nothing is easy here, even something as simple as a one hour celebration.
My authority has been challenged more than a few times this last month and I wonder whether I am being punished for something I did in a previous life. I have invoked advice from my own boss and other trusted colleagues on how to manage the tricky dynamics of culture and gender that appear to trip me up now more than ever. I am holding on for dear life to my motto ‘keep talking, no matter what,’ and am hopeful that we can get past the current bumps in the road.
In the meantime we are watching the negotiations about how the US government dollars will be spent by the Afghan government once the tricky negotiations of ‘on what’ and ‘how’ are concluded. The result of all this will determine how we can support this brave new world. I hope to be part of this incredibly challenging and ambitious journey that the two governments are embarking on.
My requests for rest & recuperation leave, one to Sikkim at the end of this month and the other to Tessa’s graduation in May, have been accepted. We are very ready for a break and enjoy the freedom and warmth of India. March 25 still seems very far off in the distance right now.
Sylvia's Journal 
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