In 1962, nine years before the UAE was born, Canadian nurse Gertrude Dyck went to work in Al Ain’s first hospital. She lived in the UAE and Oman for more than 43 years, and is the author of “The Oasis, Al Ain Memoirs of ‘Doctora Latifa,’” first published in 1995 and available from Motivate Publishing in Dubai.
In 2002, Gertrude was recognised with two of Canada’s highest honours: the Order of Canada, and a Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal.
I grew up in rural Saskatchewan – that’s in Western Canada – with my Mom and Dad, and my brothers and sisters. Before I was born, my elder brother and sister and my Mom and Dad lived on a farm where they had next to nothing. They had a few chickens and they sold the eggs from the chickens, and that was about the only income they had.
I was born in 1934 during the Depression years...
My Mom was a committed Christian who prayed and taught us to pray. My
dad wasn't as committed as her, he was brought up in a different
church, the old Mennonite church, and he didn't go to church except for
weddings and funerals. But I know my mother prayed for all of us.
As small children, I don’t remember religion playing such a big role in
our lives, because my Dad wasn’t so keen on it...
Susan notes: In 1962, nine years before the UAE was born, Canadian nurse the late Gertrude Dyck went to work in Al Ain’s first hospital. She lived in the UAE and Oman for more than 43 years, and is the author of “The Oasis, Al Ain Memoirs of ‘Doctora Latifa. This is what she told me about her memories of the Holy Month of Ramadan in the 1960s. Read more about Gertrude at these links: About Gertrude Dyck and Gertrude Dyck (Nurse/Missionary/Author).
From the time I knew that this was where I was coming, there was a lot of planning and preparation. And the first trip to get here was a REAL adventure.
But before I tell you about all that, since it’s Ramadan now, maybe I should tell you a little bit about how this time of the year was for me in those early days... (Left: unidentified hospital staff person on a camel with local people)
Susan notes: In 1962, nine years before the UAE was born, Canadian nurse the late Gertrude Dyck went to work in Al Ain’s first hospital.
She lived in the UAE and Oman for more than 43 years, and is the author of “The Oasis, Al Ain Memoirs of ‘Doctora Latifa.
This is what she told me about her memories of the Holy Month of
Ramadan in the 1960s. Read more about Gertrude at these links:
About Gertrude Dyck
and
Gertrude Dyck (Nurse/Missionary/Author).