“How are you?” - “I am fine”
“Nice to meet you.” - “I am fine”
What’s your name?” - “I am fine”
Our communication is finally reduced to smiles, a special handshake, eyebrow raises, head nods, and hand gestures. Oh yes, and the camera. Once they see themselves on the screen they giggle and start to pose. The mamas push their babies forward to have their images captured forever in my camera. I was even lucky enough to capture a selfie which results in the delightful sounds of glee.
The doctors and nurses finally call it a day so that they can rest and start again in another village tomorrow. We hustle the remaining villagers through for a mosquito net - hoping that everyone, at least, receives that blessing.
I’ve only “known" them for a couple of days but they’ve been two incredible days. Saying goodbye is terribly hard but we do manage to learn two new English phrases…
“Bye”
“Good-night”
They never did manage the “see you later alligator”
Donna Matthews
Final stats for the Olumont Village over two days
2,000 nets
1,200 patients