After I finished in Nigeria, I rode a bike through southern Europe for 1,200 miles. I was mentally exhausted from my assignment, but relieved and happy that we could help. I had learned so much in the process.
The case management team I worked with was great. They never stopped working and never complained about all of the hours on the dusty roads. We had a party at the end where we ate chicken and drank coke and sprite.
I was the last international person in Zamfara with three Nigerian staff to pack up the office and finish everything up—they were fantastic people. It was worth the 11 crazy weeks to spend time with them; they were so helpful and caring and had a great work ethic. It was a great way to leave.
I called our driver, Abdullaziz, the Professor, because he seemed to know everything. On the way to a meeting, I would say, how do you think I should talk to the MOH about this and he would give me insider advice—and it worked. He was a good honest guy, a well-respected older man in town, who carried a lot of weight.
I ended up doing all the finances at the end for six vaccination teams. So when our assistant financial person, Lillian, came along, she was a lifesaver because she already had a history of handling finances and I was still learning.
I was the nurse but I ended up doing finances—that’s MSF! You have to be flexible and adapt to the situation as it evolves.
Grace, the cook, was a hoot. I lost seven pounds at first because I was working and only eating if someone put food in front of me. And then Grace came along and she made sure I did not fade away into nothing. She would tell me, wait, you forgot to eat, and say hello to us in the morning and just generally took care of us.
When I left I thought I would never do it again. But thinking back now, I realize that in emergency situations there is a need for aid workers with historical knowledge and we know there is going to be another epidemic at some point. So, yes, I would go back for that reason—and because of those people that I spent time with at the end. I want to see them again.