Christian Ntizimira: Attending EAPC2025 was more than just a professional opportunity, it was a deeply human experience

Christian Ntizimira, Executive Director of ACREOL Global, shared a post on X:

“Storytime: Safari means “journey”

Attending EAPC2025 was more than just a professional opportunity, it was a deeply human experience. In Helsinki , I found myself among colleagues and kindred spirits from all corners of the world, all gathered with a shared commitment to advancing palliativecare.

Helsinki itself was a surprise. A city that blends quiet elegance with modern efficiency. It’s incredibly clean, calm, and filled with striking Nordic architecture that whispers both simplicity and strength. But what struck me most wasn’t just the design of the city, it was its light. Literally. The sun barely dipped below the horizon, setting around 10:30 PM and rising again before 4:30 AM. The long, glowing days made it feel as if time had stretched to make space for connection and contemplation.

After the conference, I arrived early at the airport to avoid the rush. As I made my way toward the gate for Amsterdam , it was easy to spot fellow participants, many still carried long tubes with their posters or conference bags adorned with the EAPC2025 logo.

And then, something stopped me.

In the waiting area, a woman sat reading a book I knew well, “The Safari Concept.” My book. She was so engrossed in the pages that the airport announcements faded around her. I stood there, unexpectedly moved. To witness someone lost in the words I had written, someone finding meaning in a journey I had once taken myself, it felt surreal.

Part of me hesitated. Should I interrupt her? Would it seem strange to say hello?

But curiosity got the better of me. I walked over and gently said, “Hi, would you like your copy signed?”

She looked up, slightly startled. Then, she flipped the book over, examined the back cover, looked at me again, and a wide, surprised smile appeared.

“It’s you! What luck to meet you here!”

I smiled back. “I’m happy to see you got a copy, it was sold out.”

Laughing, she replied, “Actually, it’s my friend’s copy. I borrowed it while she was walking around. I couldn’t put it down.”

I sat beside her, and we began talking. She was eager to understand the metaphors in the book, the animal symbolism, the role of Rafiki, and the emotional process behind writing it after conversations with patients and families. It wasn’t just a discussion; it was an exchange of insight, emotion, and shared humanity.

A few minutes later, her friend returned. “Oh! So good to meet you,” she said. “I’m Elisabeth. We’re from Amsterdam.”

I introduced myself with a smile: “I’m Christian, the Safarist.”

She laughed warmly. “Of course I know who you are! Everyone knows you.”

I felt humbled. I asked, “What made you decide to buy the book?”

She replied, “During the plenary session, Smriti Rana from India mentioned it. I was so moved, I had to get a copy.”

“You were lucky,” I said. “It was sold out the next day.”

I took the book in my hands, signed it, and we continued the conversation, diving into themes of care, storytelling, symbolism, and the powerful voices of the families in Rwanda whose stories had shaped the narrative. We talked until it was time to board, but truthfully, the conversation could have gone on forever. As the plane lifted off, I sat in reflection. That moment wasn’t just about a book, it was about “connection”. A confirmation that stories travel. That our journeys, our safaris, resonate far beyond what we ever imagine. And perhaps, the journey had only just begun.”

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