I Can't Believe This Day

Early to hospital, couple of trips there during the night. Still have a problem child with this diarrhea. I am so concerned. He is the son of someone I know. Dr. Samuel, Administrator of Bor State Hospital, said they have also seen this increase in little ones with diarrhea. One symptom is intense abdominal pain and watery poop every 10 minutes. Hope you are not reading this during a meal!! Any suggestions from anyone?

James and his sick son

In the afternoon, we went to the leper colony. It was incredible. But let me back up to the trip there. We were on the road to Juba, sounds like a great opening line for a novel. We turned into the village of Malek and drove through towards the river Nile. We then had to park the car and walk the rest of the way. We really were in a jungle! Waiting for Tarzan to swoop down. AhhhhAhhhhAhhhhAh. We were on a small path and a herd of sheep came running towards us, yikes a stampede. They were being chased by a HUGE baboon. One little sheep in the front had a mangled face. It was crazy, you can't make this s*** up! Then Ajak grabbed a huge stick with thorns in it and John Makech grabbed rocks - they were going to protect us. This was so hilarious. The baboon saw us and hit the brakes and the guys chased him away.

Stampeding sheep, baboon off in the distance

So on with the lepers. As we all know, leprosy is an ancient disease. Not much has changed here. They are ostracized from society. Their village is really very beautiful along the Nile, but their conditions are just horrid. The tukels are falling down, not really shelter from rain. The clinic, that used to be used and has not seen any medical staff since 2003, is now used to house chickens. The age of the people there was odd. There were young children and old people. No one above about 25. I think that they leave to work, they do not have the disease at this point, and they leave their children there with the old folks.

The older folks all had missing fingers and toes. They did not seem too sick. The children were really quite healthy looking. I believe this is in part to their being sequestered from society and not being exposed to the everyday ills. Very curious. It was a really incredible experience.

Beautiful children

Dr. Ajak and a new friend

We all gathered around the chief as he told his people's story

New friends

Living with a terrible disease

Beautiful smile

I had promised to keep these shorter. I have not done a very good job. Sorry about that. So I will sign off now.
C