Posted on 10/12/2014 12:01:50 AM PDT by No One Special
Ebola is not a pleasing name to me. In fact, I hate even to hear the word – it has destroyed my family and education. Life was hard but OK: I live with my aunt and many family members in a big compound; we have always been poor but there was happiness. But now we are terrified. Too many people, friends and families, have died and are still dying. And the number of orphans increases on a daily basis.
When Ebola first arrived in my country, we weren’t too worried. Then came “sensitisation” – all the community groups and NGOs running around talking about Ebola. But many refused to believe in the danger and even tried to make politics out of it. We had a riot in Kenema, under the banner of “Ebola is not real”. Some said the government does not care about Ebola because the government is from the north and the virus is in the east (home of the opposition party). Others said it was because doctors wanted your blood. There were so many stories and no one took Ebola too seriously.
Then, in early August, the situation changed. The government banned all movements in and out of Kenema and Kailahun districts. This hurt everyone, not just those with Ebola, as almost everything came to a standstill. We were trapped – and still are. My aunt, who used to go to the trade fair to buy local goods at low prices, could no longer travel. We had less money at home – like everyone apart from the rich people who Aunty said made money because of high prices.
Things got much worse still when Ebola came into our community. There was a pharmacist who got ill but said he was suffering from a septic...
(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...
We hear a lot about charities... where are they? Why must gubmint be the solution?
The government hasn’t solved anything, of course. But Bridgestone’s Firestone plant in Liberia has, a private company. They have Ebola under control, while existing in the midst of the outbreak.
I like World Vision as it already has workers on the ground in these nations that support the sponsor children. They are familiar with the nation and customs, have a long track record, and is a Christian organization.
From the Web:
World Vision staff, working with government officials and other agencies, are trying to find ways to curb the deadly virus. World Vision is providing personal protective equipment, including rubber gloves, chlorine, and water purification tablets to hospitals and healthcare facilities.
World Vision-trained staff in Sierra Leone are organizing massive awareness, prevention, and education campaigns to protect children from the disease through radio and house-to-house information sharing.
World Vision began work in Sierra Leone in 1978. Donors from the United States sponsor 5,300 children there.
World Vision’s Ebola work is also expanding in the populous country of Senegal, where donors from the United States sponsor more than 12,000 children.
Thank you for the article. Sounds like this child could be talking about the U.S. too.
“When Ebola first arrived in my country, we weren’t too worried. Then came “sensitisation” – all the community groups and NGOs running around talking about Ebola. But many refused to believe in the danger and even tried to make politics out of it.”
A link to this thread has been posted on the Ebola Surveillance Thread
Strangely extensive vocabulary for a 13 year old...
They are probably learning more than “Spot the racism” over there
I don't know...could be they actually educate their children over there instead of indoctrinate them...
I think we have become accustomed to seeing american young people, especially those in the minority communities barely able to communicate and speak something akin to English...
Post to me or FReep mail to be on/off the Bring Out Your Dead ping list.
The purpose of the “Bring Out Your Dead” ping list (formerly the “Ebola” ping list) is very early warning of emerging pandemics, as such it has a high false positive rate.
So far the false positive rate is 100%.
At some point we may well have a high mortality pandemic, and likely as not the “Bring Out Your Dead” threads will miss the beginning entirely.
*sigh* Such is life, and death...
Thanks for the ping!
You’re Welcome, Alamo-Girl!
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