Did I do the right thing?

This is the question which many who faced the situation in Libya ask themselves. I have met people who stayed behind and others who fled the conflict. Having a reunion with some of them in the past few days was an interesting exercise.

To be, is to be related.

In our joint relations and work we create a dynamic which is more than the sum of the parts.

“You have the pictures, videos, transcripts, interviews. Why don’t you give me a few so that I can make a presentation for the college annual reunion?” a well-wisher offered.

“The atmosphere at such old-students unions is not the appropriate setting for such things,” I said, explaining my reasons for not parting with such material which at the right setting will form a useful resource for the persons who lived through these times and those who will be interested in changes in society.

W- Picking the threads-Thinking about curriculum and supply chains

I met this veteran who braved the conflict and stayed throughout, despite his age and medical illnesses. Despite having been in regular touch, we never met physically as non-essential travel was (and still is) not recommended.

“My friend teaches Chemistry in the school till 12^th grade. She stays in the quarters within the school campus, takes care of her six year old daughter. They are preparing for the coming Boards. Her husband is at present unemployed as the companies are not yet functioning. The English and Mathematics teachers are trying to return, but it is not easy.”

While some quarters are busy trying to gain as much from the spoils of the conflict, this veteran is thinking about which curriculum will be best suited for the different levels of education in this society. There are local schools and there are schools which try to build students towards international levels of education. There are language schools for adults. Vocational training is another aspect. Teaching employees about various processes is a field of interest.

Another of his worries is to put into process the insurance facilities for medical treatment and securing the supply chains. “ I will try to help through some of my contacts to get the equipments functioning in the hospitals,” he offered.

“Be sure you take the payments in advance as things are uncertain here and arrears are difficult to recover,” another friend told

Beyond pictures and transcripts:The nitty-gritty of reconstruction

Maybe, if my friend W had fled the conflict and was just returning, he would not have been in a mental, emotional frame of mind to think about implementing teaching curriculum or helping medical institutions. Maybe I did the right thing by resisting the temptation to give some pictures to show some curious party-goers who will booze and give patronizing advice.

Reconstruction will require some persons like W who think in terms of programs and processes of education and health, two basic pillars of any society.