100 Days

On December 15th, I had been in Sierra Leone for 100 days. That day was significant because it was 100 days here, but even more so because Andrew was arriving that day to spend the holidays with me. 

As of today, I have been in Sierra Leone for 203 days and I will be leaving in 99 days.

I will be home in 100 days!

My mind is a mess just thinking about this! I am eager to go home and at the same time I’m feeling unsettled about leaving. 

I miss almost everything about home, but especially…

  1. Andrew
  2. Bella
  3. Friends and family
  4. Good coffee
  5. Good wine
  6. Being able to drink water from the tap
  7. Ice cubes (and cocktails to put them in)
  8. Salad
  9. Any food that is not rice or eggs
  10. Air conditioning
  11. Temperatures under 95
  12. Warm showers
  13. Swimming

*I say almost because, well, I have been reading the news. Also, snow…

I’ve learned that I can live without most of these things (the bottom 10). It’s the top 3 that make me anxious to get home.

When I think about having just 99 days left here, it turns my stomach a little. I can’t help worrying that I haven’t done enough… that the work we have done will not stick… that the programs will fizzle out because of lack of funding…  But I have to put those thoughts out of my mind. We have accomplished SO MUCH and I will continue to support the UNIMAK Department of Inclusion and Special Needs Education from home. I hope to return in 2024 and again in 2026 when this first cohort of students will graduate.

Pictured above from left to right: Samuel and Siddie (both on the ISNE Leadership Team), Mohammed (front), Musa (back), Abu Bakar, Kim (front), Abib (back), John, and Andrew (Head of ISNE).

With 99 days to go, my to-do list is filling up and I am energized to finish strong.

4 thoughts on “100 Days”

  1. Kim, it will be SO nice to have you back here. But I imagine it will be quite a few days/weeks after your return that you will feel like you are in two places at once.

  2. Madeline Smoley

    Hi Kim,
    I have no doubt with your hard work and dedication that you have accomplished amazing things. Aunt Elaine and I are together and she wishes you well.
    I agree with the “Andrew/Bella” comment although it was probably
    a toss up.😂
    Can’t wait to hear more.
    Wishing you all the best with your time remaining and safe travels.
    home.
    Madeline

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