Crisis Line: Lebanon
I've been working the Crisis Line at Foreign Affairs; we're fielding the calls from the 50,000+ Canadians in Lebanon and their respective families. I don't actually work in this area, but I have a friend who does and he asked me to volunteer because there's only a handful of individuals who speak Arabic. Luckily, all departmental employees were asked to be available for any/all help as was required. The 'situation' in Lebanon is the top priority for everyone...
It's shift work and the schedule's looking more and more like: 1 AM to 4 PM for the Arabic speakers because that's the core hours with the time difference.
...will be there again on Sat & Sun, with Sami’s wedding serving as a break.
I won’t be blogging, but will be as soon as things slow down.
So far, the calls have ranged from angry to heartbreaking, some of which have left me in tears more than a handful of times…after I’d hung up.
We don't have many Arabic speakers and so that I can flip between French, English and Arabic means I'm somewhat of a necessary commodity at the moment and this translates into very little sleep in the coming days. I don't mind in the least...I actually welcome it because it's exceptionally rewarding, even though equally difficult. That I fielded over 84 (that's where I lost count) calls today alone has left me feeling as though my head's going to split open in half.
Have a good few days and I'll speak with everyone soon.
It's shift work and the schedule's looking more and more like: 1 AM to 4 PM for the Arabic speakers because that's the core hours with the time difference.
...will be there again on Sat & Sun, with Sami’s wedding serving as a break.
I won’t be blogging, but will be as soon as things slow down.
So far, the calls have ranged from angry to heartbreaking, some of which have left me in tears more than a handful of times…after I’d hung up.
We don't have many Arabic speakers and so that I can flip between French, English and Arabic means I'm somewhat of a necessary commodity at the moment and this translates into very little sleep in the coming days. I don't mind in the least...I actually welcome it because it's exceptionally rewarding, even though equally difficult. That I fielded over 84 (that's where I lost count) calls today alone has left me feeling as though my head's going to split open in half.
Have a good few days and I'll speak with everyone soon.
Labels: Beirut 2006
posted by just a girl at 9:39 PM
10 Comments:
Of course, now that you're really unable to read comments or e-mails, here I am, commenting.
You're one of the few truly honourable people I know. In fact, you're probably the only one I know who goes out of her way to always try and do the honourable thing *first*.
Knew that this crisis would see you spring in action--and what a wonderful thing you're doing.
I know there's more than one form of Arabic, and please excuse my ignorance. I once tried to learn the basics of Egyptian Arabic--just the little tourist-style tapes you borrow from the library. I'd love to learn more. Is it anything like the language you speak? Again, sorry for the question, I am absolutely clueless; Italian has dialects which sound nothing like the standard, so I'm assuming you don't speak the same language I heard on those tapes.
Hope you're well, honey, and that you're able to rest.
I'm sending virtual hugs and positive vibes your way. I'm sure all your efforts are appreciated beyond words.
wow, maha.. that is an engaging, heartbreaking, and essential job you are doing - masha'Allah.
if i didn't think you were very cool before (i did), i think so now (double cool!!). :)
I'm not there, and I don't know anyone there, but I want to say "thank you" for being there for someone there who needs someone like you here.
lovely ella how great to see you again!! I was getting worried and feared that you had been offended by my hate-on for Italy's national team during this world cup. I was really excited to see you back!
So, thank you for thinking me honourable...Honestly, there's nothing honourable about fielding calls > true honour rests with those like the UN workers who have just been murdered, and the Red Cross folks who sent an email from their Lebanon HQ indicating that they have been warned by the IDF (who alleges Hizbullah hides in these ambulances) not to move their ambulances out or they will be bombed. I don't do a thing compared to these people. Nothing.
But your words are sweet still :)
As for my dialect, you're right. The Arabic you heard on the tapes is relatively accentless > I speak a mix of accents only because I wasn't raised in one specific region.
The entire Middle East (the traditonal map which includes north africa) speaks Arabic, but with very different dialects; dialects vary greatly even within countries (e.g. in Palestine alone, you'll hear many many diffrent dialects, and for the familiar ear, you can tell which part of Palestine the individual comes from). Depending on who I'm talking to, they'll hear a diffrent accent, because my language is all over the place.
I spent summers in Gaza, my parents studied uni in Egypt, and most of my Arabic friends are Lebanese...so depending on the day and how tired I am, I pull diffrent words from diffrent areas :)
I don't know if that answers your Q or not...
lisa: Got your hug, thank you.
Anjum: Right back at you and shukran.
Micha: Thank you. That's such a kind thing to say. I hope you're never in a situation where you require someone like me.
I'll be writing something up about this experience > a variation of a hysterical email I sent only my closest friends...give me a few days as I'm still working these insane shifts until prehaps Tuesday.
All my love; thank you for the emails to everyone who sent them.
maha
I found this guy that makes these funny little vblogs...(well, I think they're amusing and might even make someone think)...forgot where I stumbled upon them but he says his home is: ummahfilms.com...look for vblogs-he has made numbers 1 through 9 so far...don't know what else is on the site...
good luck and and keep your head down....
Cairo American College Guy(aka el skandarani)
PS you make me feel lazy or somthing...my biggest decision today was what kind of pizza I wanted for dinner
Girl-please, I may be half-Italian, but I couldn't give more than a half slice of pizza about futbol, honestly. ;) Takes more than that to put me on the grump.
Coolness about Arabic and the mixture of dialects/accents you use. It's the same with me, in Italian. My family is basically Venetian, but we use words and phrases in other dialects all the time, simply because they suit the mood or meaning better! :)
Very cool. Wish I'd had the brains to be a linguist.
I know what you mean about the people under fire, especially the Red Cross and UN...it's incredibly heartbreaking and hard to read in the news. But I stand by my notion that you are honourable and good, because you are doing SOMETHING. And it's probably a hugely meaningful something to quite a lot of people out there. xo
el skandarani
don't consider yourself lazy, lol! Thanks for at least dropping in and returning :)
& I will check out the reference you mention, thank you!
lovely ella
thank you, as always, thank you thank you thank you. Your words are always so rich with kindness and support.
xo
m
I've said it before and I'll keep saying it, We love you even the ones like me who have never met you.
You are easy to love.
Tommy
Tommy, you're a sweet sweet soul. Thank you for all of the emails!
All of my love, right back at 'ya.
xo
m
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