padding:0 20px 20px .25em; Ramblings From around the world: May 2006

May 30, 2006

Current Location: 4 Degrees North 8 Degrees West

If you know your geography that will put you about 30 miles of the coast of the border of Liberia and the Ivory Coast. Today I left Liberia, on one week cruise to Tema, Ghana.
















Here is a picture of my last Liberian sunset,(Photo was taken by our Ships Photographer- Debra Bell).
























My last weekend in Liberia was one of relaxing, I spent sunday driving the Zodiac around the harbor and then played Ultimate Frisbee.


















Since, We are sailing now the fishing boats we displaced can return to the dock we have used for the past 8 months.


















Our last night in port we had increased security, Thanks to the UNMIL Soldiers from Ghana for spending every night on the dock.

May 20, 2006

Bong Mine / Now a Lake.

























Bong mine was an active Iron Mine until 1990. During the war it was closed and the looting destroyed most of the machinary. I spent the day enjoying the results of said mining operations. A big lake that is great for swiming and cliff jumping. It was a really enjoyable day. It started very early in the morning, with loading the land rovers then a 2 hour train ride to the Mines. We then drove the land rovers off the train and too the first lake. Visibility was 4o feet, and the cliffs were nice and steep.
We had Lobster Creol that we cooked the night before for lunch. Then we returned to the the ship via train and land rover. More pics of the train ride will be coming soon and below is a picture of cooking(sort of).























This picture is most of the group of people I went with.

When Cargo Goes Bad


This is Thib and I rescuing cargo that tried to escape. It was the most interesting man overboard drill I have ever been part of.

Actually it was a cargo acciddent by the guys loading Medical supplies. Some of the Surgical trays were destroyed..Not Good.

May 14, 2006

Ganta Leprosy Clinic ---Leprosy Myth Busting

While I was in Ganta I stayed with the Catholic Nuns from Italy. They have been operating a Leprosy and TB Hospital since the war ended. While there I came to the realization that I knew nothing about Leprosy. So, I tried to learn as much as I could while there. For example here are some questions for you to try to answer..

1. What is leprosy?
2. Can other people get leprosy from a patient?
3. Where is leprosy a problem?
4. How is it spread?
5. Can leprosy be cured?
Answers are Below..
















This is Jenn with a couple of Leprosy patients. Augustin and Junior, both recieved surgery on the Anastasis since I arrived in Liberia.

Answers from Above
1.
Leprosy is caused by bacteria or germs called Mycobacterium leprae. It is an infection that affects the skin and the nerves of the hands and feet and can also cause problems in the eyes and nose. Mycobacterium leprae multiplies very slowly and the incubation period of the disease is about five years. Symptoms can take as long as 20 years to appear

2.
Patients on medicine for leprosy do not spread the disease. When a person is placed on medication, most of the bacteria are killed within a few days. Within two weeks of starting the medicine, there is no risk of spreading the disease to anyone else. It is not necessary to isolate a person with leprosy at any time. Also, it is NOT transmitted through sexual contact or pregnancy.

3.
In 9 countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America leprosy is still considered a public health problem; These countries account for about 75% of the global disease burden.

4.
In most cases, it is spread through long-term contact with a person who has the disease but has not been treated. Most people will never develop the disease even if they are exposed to the bacteria. Of the world's population, 95% have a natural immunity to leprosy.
In the Southern US, some armadillos carry this bacteria. It is still uncertain if transmission to humans is possible from armadillos.

5.
Yes..
Leprosy is a curable disease and treatment provided in the early stages averts disability; Multidrug therapy (MDT) is used to cure leprosy. MDT consists of three drugs: dapsone, rifampicin and clofazimine.
Since 1995, the World Health Organization has provided free MDT for all patients in the world.


For more information About Leprosy Go HERE

For the ship photographers pictures from the Ganta Leprosy Clinic look HERE

May 07, 2006

Kapatwee Falls - Gbarnga, Liberia
















My past weekend We spent 5 hours driving north in Liberia, to Gbarnga and to Ganta.
While in Gbarnga We visited Kpatawee Falls and the Catholic Retreat Center.



Guinea Border Crossing Near Ganta


Then we went to the Guinea border in hopes of crossing. After doing some persuading we were granted permission to cross for a few minutes Unofficially. Meaning I was never there, and these pictures don't exist.