From a dusty Dakar, we wish you a merry Christmas and a happy and healthy 2015! The desert winds (Harmattan) are blowing, covering the city in a thin layer of yellow dust. Some days the sun is barely visible because of the sand clouds. At home we can daily sweep heaps of sand from the […][...]
Archive for the ‘Africa’ Category
At war with a virus
“Last week Friday the first Ebola case was confirmed in Dakar, and ever since we are in war.” The head doctor of the Northern Health District of Dakar has called for a crisis meeting for all Health Post leaders. The whole world now knows that Ebola arrived in Senegal, and international organizat[...]
A baby in the sheep hut; medical campaign in Widou
A car parks next to the straw hut at twilight. It is the hut of Ahmed, a shepherd like virtually all of his people group (Fulani) in northern Senegal. He isn’t poor, as shown by his large herd of cows and sheep. For this wandering tribe medical care is not taken for granted. This counts […][...]
Family life in the village
Frankly, I (Jan) was a bit reluctant. I feel relaxed and at home in the city, but the countryside is full of dangers. I prefer to meet a gunman at night than a snake… But still, our good contact with Dr. Soh and the opportunity to participate in a medical campaign made us decide to […][...]
Wooden stethoscopes and statistics
The fifth pregnant patient enters the Madame Sy’s consultancy room, the head midwife of the district hospital. One sits on the examination table with a trainee, one next to her, one on a chair facing Madame Sy and two in a corner. While I wonder what privacy means in this culture I see a nice [&he[...]
May 10th, 2013 - 22:51 § in Africa
Freedom
Last Sunday (May 5th) the Dutch celebrated their liberation of the German oppression during the Second World War. I have to admit I was not quite aware as it was a busy day. But this past week I took some time to reflect on Freedom and was touched by the following poem of the Senegalese […][...]
February 6th, 2013 - 20:14 § in Africa
Winter in Senegal…
Finally, it’s winter time! Also known as “the cold season”. It might sound unbelievable, but mid-November a strong wind suddenly started blowing for about three days. The kind of wind which you can hang on to, unfortunately that would mean you’d find sand in your ears and nostrils for the co[...]
2013 or 1931?
We wish you all a healthy 2013! That this is not obvious was experienced by Aida and Mariam, 6 month old twins, who were brought to our nutrition consultation by their grandmother. Their mother had died while giving birth, something that’s still way too common in Africa. On this continent t[...]
Albinism in Senegal
In an empty classroom, armed with only a stethoscope, first aid kit and prescription pad I provide a free clinic for people with albinism (popularly called albinos) in Senegal. I provide basic care, give information and hand-out sunscreen. It is October 13, a national day for people with albinism, o[...]
Taxi
“Tomorrow I want to blow bubbles in the taxi. Then all the bubbles will glide through the window so the people outside can enjoy them.” For Maria, the many taxi rides aren’t a punishment: there is plenty to see and do. She can hear the black and yellow cars coming from afar. Sometimes because [...]
