A Tragedy: Part 5 – Children of Hope: The Liberia Mission Story
A Tragedy: Part 5 tells the story of ten-year-old Elijah Koko. The story illustrates how precious and fragile life is in Liberia. It also illustrates the great need for public health and health education in Liberia, a need that Liberia Mission, Inc. will be addressing very soon. In May, an American doctor will take up residence at Liberia Mission. He will look after the health needs of the children and provide education and care for those in the surrounding villages.
Elijah’s Story: Elijah had been slightly ill for a few days, but this morning was joking with his mother as he was getting ready for school in his family’s small, mud-brick house directly across the street from Liberia Mission. She told him that she was taking him to the doctor after school. His mother walked outside for a moment and when she came back, she found Elijah unconscious. The family flagged down a cab and rushed him to the Doctors Without Borders Hospital. Elijah regained consciousness on the ride telling his mother and uncle that he was going to die. When they arrived at the hospital, Elijah asked for his father who was on his way. When his father came to the hospital, Elijah told them all that now he could die. And tragically that is what happened. The family returned to the village and would have to go to pick up Elijah’s body for immediate burial as soon as the body was prepared. Jerome Cabeen, Liberia Mission Director and Elijah’s former teacher, agreed to help the family with all logistics and transportation. This tragic part of the the web-series follows the family’s ordeal as they pick up their son at the hospital, host a visitation in the village and bury him at his father’s family plot.
This story illustrates not only how precious and fragile life is in Liberia, but how Liberia Mission is making a difference and how the addition of a doctor on site will help the whole community. Click on the picture above to watch and learn more.
