Reality Check!
We had a full and exhausting day today. The three of us accompanied David (our Clinical Officer) out to a new camp that we will be taking our mobile medical clinic to. It is located in Apac District and the name of the camp is Acokora. It happens to be the village where David was born and raised. This district has 18 or 19 camps and none of them are receiving any aid of any kind. But the LRA continues to terrorize them. Just two weeks ago, 19 people were abducted and some injured not far away.
We toured the entire camp of about 30,000 people. From the start we could see that all of the children were much dirtier and more unhealthy than the children I remember from last year. The camp is not very orderly and they have only hand built pit latrines, which decreases the sanitation levels dramatically. So many children had health problems that were visible with just a glimpse, no thorough examination needed. We were able to enter several huts, and I was completely shocked when I entered one. It was hot and smoky. I could stand in it, but most American bathrooms are bigger than this round room. They cook, eat and sleep in these small quarters. When I stooped down to exit, I found out that nine people lived in this space and I wanted to cry.
In fact, I really had to keep my emotions in check as I just wanted to weep for the people and the conditions that they endure. I told myself that if people in the developed world knew about these conditions they would be outraged! They would not tolerate knowing the sufferings of these women and children.
So may little ones were suffering from severe malnutrition, their arms and legs pencil thin. Ring worm was rampant, and we could feel the heat of fever coming off of the heads and backs of some of the babies in mother's arms. There were wounds that needed to be cleansed, and rashes that needed lotion. Amazingly, the people were friendly and happy. They all thanked us for being there, and we haven't even done anything to help them. They smiled and laughed, the children came and held our hands. The little ones screamed in fear and made us laugh. As we made our way through the camp the entourage of children that accompanied us grew to well over a hundred. All pushing and jostling each other to get closer to us, all these eyes watching our every move, so unused to strangers.
It was quite overwhelming, and on the long ride back to town over rough roads, Sally shared with me that she too felt like crying several times as we walked the camp. Sally is no rookie, in the past six months she has volunteered in Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. But the situation here is so desperate it makes even ones with experience in the third world want to weep. What will it take for the developed and rich nations of the world to take notice and want to help? Bono is doing his best trying to get the word out. The Gates Foundation is making a huge difference in Africa. But the need is even greater and needs more publicity.
Pray for the families living in the camps, Brenda
We had a full and exhausting day today. The three of us accompanied David (our Clinical Officer) out to a new camp that we will be taking our mobile medical clinic to. It is located in Apac District and the name of the camp is Acokora. It happens to be the village where David was born and raised. This district has 18 or 19 camps and none of them are receiving any aid of any kind. But the LRA continues to terrorize them. Just two weeks ago, 19 people were abducted and some injured not far away.
We toured the entire camp of about 30,000 people. From the start we could see that all of the children were much dirtier and more unhealthy than the children I remember from last year. The camp is not very orderly and they have only hand built pit latrines, which decreases the sanitation levels dramatically. So many children had health problems that were visible with just a glimpse, no thorough examination needed. We were able to enter several huts, and I was completely shocked when I entered one. It was hot and smoky. I could stand in it, but most American bathrooms are bigger than this round room. They cook, eat and sleep in these small quarters. When I stooped down to exit, I found out that nine people lived in this space and I wanted to cry.
In fact, I really had to keep my emotions in check as I just wanted to weep for the people and the conditions that they endure. I told myself that if people in the developed world knew about these conditions they would be outraged! They would not tolerate knowing the sufferings of these women and children.
So may little ones were suffering from severe malnutrition, their arms and legs pencil thin. Ring worm was rampant, and we could feel the heat of fever coming off of the heads and backs of some of the babies in mother's arms. There were wounds that needed to be cleansed, and rashes that needed lotion. Amazingly, the people were friendly and happy. They all thanked us for being there, and we haven't even done anything to help them. They smiled and laughed, the children came and held our hands. The little ones screamed in fear and made us laugh. As we made our way through the camp the entourage of children that accompanied us grew to well over a hundred. All pushing and jostling each other to get closer to us, all these eyes watching our every move, so unused to strangers.
It was quite overwhelming, and on the long ride back to town over rough roads, Sally shared with me that she too felt like crying several times as we walked the camp. Sally is no rookie, in the past six months she has volunteered in Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. But the situation here is so desperate it makes even ones with experience in the third world want to weep. What will it take for the developed and rich nations of the world to take notice and want to help? Bono is doing his best trying to get the word out. The Gates Foundation is making a huge difference in Africa. But the need is even greater and needs more publicity.
Pray for the families living in the camps, Brenda
posted by BrendaTravels | 6:54 AM
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