Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1989842,00.html?xid=huffpo-direct#ixzz0opwhHKip
It never ceases to amaze me. But there I am in a village without much access to health but alcohol consumption is high. I suggested to add a tax to the booth to help pay for health care. Oh no, I was told, that can't be done.
Back in Bamenda I suffered a gallbladder/gallstones attack, the first in my life, unexpected and more painful than anything. Luckily my host Dr. Anyangwe runs a hospital. He made the diagnosois, explained it to me and injected antibiotics and antispasm medicine. Never mind it knocked me out and after comming to I slept for the next 24 hours.... at least I am now functional, but worried it may return. I am still not breathing without pain. The miserable roads make travel a heroic effort under normal circumstances, but now it is painful on top.
In Bamenda I was looking for my now six year old Benwih Kalaui. I knew she had been moved from Bamenda to Bafut, but Bafut is big. I was determined not to leave without seeing her. Saturday, I finally got hold of my friend Eunice Shu and in no uncertain terms told her we are going. We got a taxi overloaded with seven people plus driver to Bafut, paid him extra money to bring us far off the tarred road and into the quarters. He dropped us off at a Presbitarian Church. From there we trecked towards GS Niko - the Primary and Nursery school Benwih supposedly attended. We walked past the school to what seemed to be the edge of a stepp decline, we decended. Benwih saw us first, she came running past her former caregiver Eunice to hug me.... these are the moments when I know that what I do has some meaning. Her accomodations were dismal. She shares a bed with a 12 year old shy boy, the youngest child of her grandmother. The room is made from mud bricks and is dark. She has few clothes and when asked what I should bring her she said "my baby". Her baby is a doll we brought her in 2006 and which had been carriing around ever since. I asked the boy the same question and he said a dress - he means a blouse and pant. I got the grandmother away from everyone and gave her money in case the child gets sick. Officially we gave grandpapa money too, but I assume it will go to pay for liquor.
Last Thursday was Cameroon's 50 Independent day. They have a long way to go, but there is real progress. Bamenda got more roads, and the one to Weh has been worked on shortening the 5 hour trip to 3 hours, never mind we are talking only of a distance to 30 miles....
I am in Yaounde the french speaking capital, me German writing Englsih on a french keyboard computer.... one will forgive the spelling of this.
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