The good news is that Damo successfully organized rehydration pack distributions in the villages of Hilisaloo and Bothosi, for what is now our second round of successful runs in both villages. The people were very happy, and now firmly believe that the packs help them manage the dangers of diarrhea.
The bad news is that, on the way back from the Hilisaloo effort, at night, in the rain, two of the nurses fell off their motorbikes and were scraped up, spending a night in the hospital in Teluk, just to be on the safe side. Then Damo got malaria, probably at Bothosi, which is pretty deep in the sticks. Damo got bit a lot, and I think he now sees my wisdom in using aggressive mozzy spray and long sleeved clothes, which he laughed at me for before. Damo spent almost a week in the hospital in Teluk. He assures me it is the one with Air Con, and not the shabby clinic that I’ve been to once when I was sick. He’s better now, but to the tune of a 6 million rupiah ($600) hospital bill, for him and the nurses.(Which I happily paid.)
So it goes, I suppose. We’ll now be avoiding nighttime efforts, and encouraging aggressive mozzy control.
Thank you, by the way, to all the supporters for the last run! I’m told pictures are on the way.