#AbundantAugust has led me to experience #abundant grief like never before.
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti on the morning of Saturday 14 August wrecking the south western peninsula that was already badly impacted by hurricane Matthew in 2016. As if that wasn’t enough, Tropical Storm Grace hammered the same area a few days later, severely hampering rescue efforts.
Having lived in Haiti for several years, I have a strong attachment to this country and its people. When Haiti hurts, I hurt. The news of destruction tugged on my heartstrings. My friends and former colleagues were all safe but some had family living in the south who lost their homes.
My phone was buzzing with emergency response alerts as I’m on the IFRC global rapid response roster for humanitarian emergencies. Haiti was calling me to be part of the emergency response. I earnestly wanted to go but my dog made the choice for me to stay. My canine companion and faithful office assistant, Happy, died of a heart attack on Sunday 15 August. He was young though I don’t know his exact age. You see, he was a rescue dog who got friendly with my other rescue dog, Vision, so I adopted him as her playmate.
I’d been speaking to both my dogs about the earthquake in Haiti and I told them that I might be deployed there for a few weeks or months. I explained that I would find someone wonderful to stay with them while I was away. Happy spent all of Saturday watching me unpack suitcases, do laundry, verify my gear and pack for deployment. On Sunday, we went for a walk at his favourite beach. He died while galloping like a race horse uphill on the way home.
Happy’s sudden departure sent me into shock. He was not just a pet. He was like my son. The hurt I felt for Haiti paled in comparison to the wrenching grief of losing Happy. I could no longer go. My heart was too heavy to travel. My thoughts were mushy memories of Happy times. I had to stay at home with Vision as we consoled each other.
Before my phone started buzzing with emergency alerts, I was focused on achieving KUDO certification during the month of August 2021. I had completed four out of ten scheduled training sessions and was working steadily to unlock the professional badge before my 45th birthday. Coincidentally, I started along the KUDO Interpreter’s journey in July 2020 while managing chaotic circumstances in Zimbabwe… so it’s been one year in the making.
The KUDO multilingual platform has revolutionised the way Interpreters work. Before the onset of COVID-19, this technology was already being used for remote simultaneous interpreting. With the pandemic still raging in many parts of the world, KUDO has opened up opportunities for Interpreters to work from home, or a designated KUDO studio, facilitating clients globally. (Learn more here: https://kudoway.com/)
In the midst of my Haiti hurting, I got distracted from my goal. From the depth of Happy grief, I was redirected to what is most important to me. My goal of KUDO certification is intimately linked to my choice of lifestyle. Through the KUDO marketplace I will be able to access more interpreting opportunities while working from home. Working from home means I can spend quality time with Vision without having to hop on ferries or planes to get to work. Working from home also means I can spend more time in my garden producing organic food that keeps me healthy. This is a lifestyle I could only dream of last year when I quit my full-time job. Today it is my reality!
“In the midst of every crisis, lies great opportunity,” said Albert Einstein. One week after the Haiti 2021 earthquake and one week after losing my Happy boy, I have applied for KUDO Pro certification in a moment of abundant clarity. It’s a step up from my current KUDO basic certification. This goal became abundantly clear in the midst of grief. I am grateful for this opportunity that allows me to harmonise my personal and professional goals. Thanks #KUDO!
Are you waiting on the right time to pursue your goals? TODAY is the right time. Even tragedy can be a trigger!
Gennike Mayers,
Interpreter-in-Chief
