- Baby in the Box
- Risking their Lives – The real heroes
- The Ebola Line
- Another Death
- Numbers that count
On 29 March 2016, the largest ever outbreak, the West Africa Ebola outbreak was declared over by the World Health Organization. An outbreak that had close to 30,000 cases and over 11,000 deaths from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, since it was first identified in March 2014.
There are many stories that are hiding behind these numbers. Stories of pain, of death, of anger, of agony and stories of heroisms, of warriors, of health care workers and stories of un-named sacrifices that have taught the world many lessons and that have been reasons that won the battle over the largest outbreak ever.
Below are a few of the legends, perhaps inaccurate in some areas, inadequate in details, seemingly transitioning between fact and fiction, largely and abruptly incomplete, however, I confess that they are what they are, an honest description of some sad realities and some extraordinarily inspiring real experiences. Unbeknownst to me at times the impressions might have gotten muddy given the pain, frustration and tragedy of the circumstances yet the friendships and collegiality of the many people, the real heroes of this battle have inspired me to present them with as much truth and passion, and as much completeness as I can.
These are not just real world stories but are legends because it is not the above counts of numbers and details in the stories that are relevant but the human faces behind the numbers and their courage, that are. I feel so tremendously privileged, blessed and humbled in being a small and a rather insignificant part of the West Africa Ebola story.