Interview

ICDI is located in mainly two locations: Bangui and Berberati. Bangui is the capital of the C.A.R and is responsible for the AIDS program, orphan care in Bangui, radio, and the main African administration. Berberati is about 600 KM west of Bangui and contains the well drilling, well repair, agriculture, orphan care in Berberati, and garage programs. Over the past few years, the African administration in Berberati has not been that strong and yet this is the area that deals with the large amount of processes and money. A few months ago ICDI hired a Berberati administrator and today we interviewed for an accountant.

It was definitely an interesting set of interviews. I was not sure what would be appropriate to expect from an African. I understand what I should expect from an American that claims to be skilled in accounting but the American requirements and processes may be very different than the African’s. Not any better or worse…just different. I found myself very impressed with their answers. Some of the Africans have a depth of understanding and appreciation of life that is absolutely beautiful and refreshing. For one of the interviewees, we asked why they wanted to work for ICDI. He responded that work is extremely healthy for the soul and void of a paycheck to be able to work honorably and purposefully is a blessing. As a western culture girl, it is so easy to make work a factory line mentality…let me do the work to get the money to have something I want. The appreciation of work for the fact that work is just good is not something usually reflected upon. Overall, I was blown away by the calm wisdom and insightfulness that this man presented himself with. Yes it is an interview, but I don’t think I have ever interviewed anyone in America I was that impressed by….I did not expect that with the interview. He demonstrated the knowledge of accounting (as I know it), ability to think strategically, wisdom in dealing with others, a desire to teach others, and a deep appreciation of life. Beyond just this one man, all the interviewees were asked what they felt about training another individual. Consistently, they all stated that someone taught them how could they not teach others….it was stated as if to hold that gift without passing it along is almost a sin. And I love it…to not hold so tightly to our knowledge to even share that freely. I could just feel the beautiful depth of appreciation for life. I must preface that my perceptions are determined through a translator so I probably missed or saw things that were not reality…but it got me thinking all the same.

I have been in Berberati for 4 days and I feel like I have accomplished nothing but yet I know that many things have been reviewed and even processes refined…however, I know there is a ton more to do and I am leave Berberati in 13 or 14 days….I don’t think I will even put a dent in what I wanted to accomplish while I was here….pray that somehow God’s amazing miracles allow us to get many things accomplished while we spend these moments with the Africans.